Everything you've been told about the "social media addiction" trial is wrong.

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Everyone is celebrating the $400 million fine against Meta and Mark Zuckerberg, but it's a massive win for Big Tech. In this episode of Free Speech Friday, journalist Kat Tenbarge and I debunk a slew of misinformation about the landmark "social media addiction" trials in Los Angeles and New Mexico.

The mainstream media is painting this as a victory for child safety, but the legal precedent being set is terrifying.

From government agencies using real children's photos as "bait" to entrap predators, to the secret funding behind "grassroots" child safety groups, the reality is so, so much darker than the headlines suggest.

We cover:

How the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the repeal of Section 230 will lead to mass surveillance and censorship.
The disturbing testimony from the LA trial that the media completely ignored.
Why Big Tech is actually LOBBYING for age verification and identity tracking.
The link between these lawsuits and the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025.

If you care about the future of the open internet, free speech, and data privacy, please support my work! I will continue to cover how these laws will impact smaller platforms, LGBTQ content, and our basic right to access information.

I also highly suggest this great piece by Mike Masnick on the trials!!

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The Media Is Lying About the Social Media Addiction Trial: The Verdict Everyone Got Wrong

Taylor Lorenz’s Power User