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Last week, we kicked off our trial to hold social media giant Meta accountable for designing and deploying harmful features on Instagram and Facebook that drove young people to use their platforms compulsively.
Meta knew the risks. Meta knew the harms it could cause. But it went forward anyway, putting company profits over the mental health of our children, and then lied about it.
This isn’t just deplorable — Meta’s conduct is illegal. The company has a legal obligation to consider the safety of young users when designing their products. Parents, caregivers, teachers, and health professionals can’t adequately protect our children from the harms of Instagram and Facebook when the company lies and hides the truth. As Attorney General of California, home to Meta, I’m proud to stand up and fight for our young people and families — you deserve nothing less.
In solidarity,
Rob
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Holding Meta Accountable
 Our trial against Meta commenced this week in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. In our lawsuit, we allege that Meta illegally collected and used the data of children under the age of 13 who used its platforms and designed and deployed harmful features on Instagram and Facebook that drive excessive use by children and teens to their mental and physical detriment, all the while misleading users, their families, and the public regarding the existence and severity of these risks. In doing so, it violated federal and state laws, including the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, California's False Advertising Law, and California’s Unfair Competition Law. Alongside my colleagues from Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, and with support from states across the country, we’re ready to hold Meta accountable in court. As the home of great innovators and Silicon Valley, California has a particular opportunity and obligation to be a catalyst for change.
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Preventing Gun Violence
 As California’s chief law enforcement officer, protecting public safety and our communities from the threat of gun violence is my top priority. As part of our efforts, we investigated a Tulare County resident listed in the Armed and Prohibited Persons System (APPS) and uncovered a massive cache of illegal firearms including an unlawful ghost gun manufacturing operation. Agents seized 111 guns including rifles, privately manufactured AR-15 style lower receivers, pistols and shotguns, three silencers, and ammunition from the subject's residence. The suspect is facing criminal charges of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, possession of a privately manufactured unserialized firearm, manufacturing of an unserialized firearm, and possession of a silencer. These investigations demonstrate exactly why the APPS is vital for the safety of our communities. I am grateful for the work of our Bureau of Firearms special agents and local law enforcement partners in getting these illegal weapons out of the hands of this prohibited individual.
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Protecting Californians from Harmful Health Impacts
 On Tuesday, we opposed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) draft risk evaluation for Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), a flame-retardant widely used in consumer products, mainly plastic enclosures for electronics, and also in furniture and textile items and building and construction materials. Exposure to TBBPA may result in detrimental health impacts, including diseases associated with its neuro-, immuno-, and reproductive toxicities and cancer. Infants and children are particularly vulnerable to TBBPA exposure. We’re pushing back because EPA’s deficient draft risk evaluation ignores the health risks of TBBPA exposure in consumer products, and, if adopted, it would undermine the existing protections several states have adopted to restrict the use of TBBPA and protect their residents against its harmful health effects. California will not stand for decisions that put the health and well-being of our residents and Americans nationwide at risk.
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Scam Prevention Resources for Consumers
 California DOJ has resources to help you stay educated and protected in the face of common scams that harm California consumers. Data from the Federal Trade Commission shows that in 2025, consumers lost a staggering $15.9 billion to scams, including imposter scams, investment scams, social media scams, government impersonation scams, and more. We will not tolerate bad actors seeking to steal Californians’ hard-earned money. We are cracking down and sounding the alarm on conduct preying on consumers’ pocketbooks.
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Making Your Life Affordable
 From groceries to gas, costs seem to be rising and rising ... and rising. California DOJ has your back and is committed to protecting California families grappling with the high cost of living. In this segment, find some of the ways California DOJ is protecting Californians — and their wallets.
Did You Know: California DOJ has published information on immigration scams, including an alert to consumers (also available in Spanish) looking for legal help.
What this Means: Many immigrant communities across California are experiencing fear and uncertainty resulting from President Trump’s cruel mass detention and deportation campaign — and scammers are paying attention. Before writing a big check and hiring someone offering to help with immigration matters, California DOJ urges people to learn the signs of common scams and familiarize themselves with existing resources that are often available at little or no cost.
People can visit Law Help CA or Immigration Law Help to find immigration assistance near them. Folks can also find free immigration help through the U.S. Department of Justice’s list of no cost legal service providers and list of accredited representatives.
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Keeping You Safe
 Did you know? The Department of Justice provides critical public safety and law enforcement support services statewide. There are over 1,300 personnel at DOJ protecting public safety through criminal investigations tackling everything from high-tech and white collar crime to organized criminal street gangs, to combating gun violence and narcotics enforcement. Our Division of Law Enforcement teams also work on gambling control and provide forensic laboratory services to all of California's 58 counties. Our California Justice Information Services team provides criminal justice intelligence, identification, information and technology services to law enforcement, regulatory agencies and the public. We are hiring! Visit our website to learn how to apply.
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CARE Corner
 Efrain Botello-Cisneros, Community Outreach Manager for the Greater Sacramento and Central Valley Region, attended the Central Valley Immigrant Integration Collaborative Regional Conference. This annual conference brings together representatives from more than 100 partner organizations that serve immigrant families in the Central Valley.
For California DOJ resources for immigrant rights, please visit our website.
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Post of the Week
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Video of the Week
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Make a Difference at California DOJ
 Apply today to help California DOJ protect the health, well-being, and public safety of Californians. Check out our featured jobs below and visit oag.ca.gov/careers for a full listing of available positions:
Deputy Attorney General IV, Land Use and Conservation
Deputy Attorney General IV, Special Litigation Section
Deputy Attorney General IV, Employment Law
Deputy Attorney General IV, DMFEA Civil Section
Deputy Attorney General IV, Special Prosecutions
Investigative Auditor IV, Consumer Protection
Paralegal, Employment Law
Legislative Analyst, Bureau of Firearms
Project Analyst, Bureau of Criminal Information & Analysis
Personnel Liaison, PRD Executive Unit
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