Big Tech is finally on trial for how it built its algorithms

A landmark trial in Los Angeles is testing whether social media platforms can be held liable for psychological harm caused by their algorithmic designs, as 19-year-old plaintiff K.G.M. claims Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat caused her depression and body dysmorphia through addictive features like infinite scroll and personalized feeds. The case could weaken tech companies' legal protections and reshape how platforms design engagement systems, with over 5,000 similar lawsuits pending nationwide.