Google, Meta and TikTok challenge California's under-16 feed and autoplay limits signed by Newsom
Google, Meta and TikTok challenge California's limits on personalized feeds and autoplay for users under 16, arguing the law overrides editorial discretion and parental choice. Newsom signed it in September as a child-safety measure.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
Newsom signed AB 1709 on September 10, 2026. The law restricts what it defines as addictive features for California users under 16 and sets age-assurance requirements. It allows accounts without those features and otherwise requires deletion of under-16 accounts and associated personal information. Its operative rule is narrower than a complete ban on under-16 social-media use, although the Legislature's findings describe a minimum-age requirement. Enacted text (opens in a new tab)
On November 4, Google and YouTube, Meta, and TikTok filed separate federal complaints against Attorney General Rob Bonta. They invoke the First Amendment and Section 230 and seek declaratory and injunctive relief against challenged provisions as applied to their services. Google emphasizes parental choice; Meta emphasizes editorial discretion; TikTok argues it would need to redesign its offering for younger users. These are the plaintiffs' arguments.
Newsom's signing statement puts children's safety ahead of unregulated technology. It addresses a package of bills; AB 1709's features restrictions should be distinguished from the package's separate chatbot and privacy provisions. Signing statement (opens in a new tab)
People in this case
Rob BontaDirectly involved
Gavin NewsomDirectly involved
Timeline
2 timeline entries on this page. Dates: September 10, 2026 to November 4, 2026
September 2026
Newsom signs AB 1709
Incident
The governor approves the law barring covered platforms from providing what it defines as addictive features to users under 16. It permits accounts without those features and otherwise requires deletion of under-16 accounts.
[01]California AB 1709, chaptered text
The enacted text prohibits covered platforms from providing defined addictive features to users under 16. It permits accounts without those features and sets age-assurance and enforcement rules.
California AB 1709, chaptered textChapter 183; Business and Professions Code sections 22682-22686[02]Newsom signs child-safety chatbot and social-media legislation
Newsom defends the child-safety legislation he signed, including AB 1709. The release also addresses other bills, whose provisions should be kept distinct.
Newsom signs child-safety chatbot and social-media legislationGovernor's statement; Banning addictive features on social media platforms; bill list
November 2026
Platforms file three separate federal challenges
Reaction
Google and YouTube file in the Northern District of California, as does Meta. TikTok files in the Central District. Each seeks declaratory and injunctive relief against enforcement of challenged AB 1709 provisions against their services.
[03]Google LLC and YouTube, LLC v. Bonta: AB 1709 complaint
The 28-page complaint records the plaintiffs' constitutional and federal-law objections to AB 1709. Its allegations and legal arguments are not findings by the court.
Google LLC and YouTube, LLC v. Bonta: AB 1709 complaint5:26-cv-13204-SVK, Document 1, filed November 4, 2026; introduction and requests for declaratory and injunctive relief[04]Meta Platforms, Inc. v. Bonta: AB 1709 complaint
The 49-page complaint records the plaintiff's constitutional and federal-law objections to AB 1709. Its allegations and legal arguments are not findings by the court.
Meta Platforms, Inc. v. Bonta: AB 1709 complaint3:26-cv-13201, Document 1, filed November 4, 2026; introduction and requests for declaratory and injunctive relief[05]TikTok Inc. and TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC v. Bonta: AB 1709 complaint
The 60-page complaint records the plaintiffs' constitutional and federal-law objections to AB 1709. Its allegations and legal arguments are not findings by the court.
TikTok Inc. and TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC v. Bonta: AB 1709 complaint2:26-cv-12965, Document 1, filed November 4, 2026; introduction and requests for declaratory and injunctive relief
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
Google LLC
AB 1709's personalized-feed and autoplay restrictions are preempted by Section 230, and its personalized-feed restriction violates the First Amendment.
What is disputed
California's enacted findings and Newsom's signing statement, which predate the complaint, present the restrictions as protections against compulsive design and harm to children.
Sources (3)
- Google LLC and YouTube, LLC v. Bonta: AB 1709 complaint5:26-cv-13204-SVK, Document 1, filed November 4, 2026; introduction and requests for declaratory and injunctive relief
- California AB 1709, chaptered textChapter 183; Business and Professions Code sections 22682-22686
- Newsom signs child-safety chatbot and social-media legislationGovernor's statement; Banning addictive features on social media platforms; bill list
Arguments
Documented position
Google/YouTube, Meta and TikTok, separate complaints
Platforms invoke editorial and parental choice
The companies argue that selecting and arranging third-party material is protected expression and that California cannot override those decisions because it finds the resulting service too engaging. They also argue that the restrictions override parents' choices.
Limit of this argument
Google's complaint acknowledges that a district court denied YouTube a preliminary injunction against SB 976's feed restrictions in August 2026, finding it unlikely to succeed on its First Amendment claim. The appeal is ongoing.
Read sources
Sources
- Google LLC and YouTube, LLC v. Bonta: AB 1709 complaint5:26-cv-13204-SVK, Document 1, filed November 4, 2026; introduction and requests for declaratory and injunctive relief
- Meta Platforms, Inc. v. Bonta: AB 1709 complaint3:26-cv-13201, Document 1, filed November 4, 2026; introduction and requests for declaratory and injunctive relief
- TikTok Inc. and TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC v. Bonta: AB 1709 complaint2:26-cv-12965, Document 1, filed November 4, 2026; introduction and requests for declaratory and injunctive relief
Documented position
California Legislature and Governor Gavin Newsom
California targets defined design features
The Legislature describes the covered features as psychologically exploitative design. Its operative text permits under-16 accounts if the platform does not provide those features.
Limit of this argument
Platforms that do not offer accounts without those features must delete under-16 accounts. The companies dispute whether the restrictions can be separated from protected publishing choices.
Read sources
Sources
- California AB 1709, chaptered textChapter 183; Business and Professions Code sections 22682-22686
- Newsom signs child-safety chatbot and social-media legislationGovernor's statement; Banning addictive features on social media platforms; bill list
- Google LLC and YouTube, LLC v. Bonta: AB 1709 complaint5:26-cv-13204-SVK, Document 1, filed November 4, 2026; introduction and requests for declaratory and injunctive relief
- Meta Platforms, Inc. v. Bonta: AB 1709 complaint3:26-cv-13201, Document 1, filed November 4, 2026; introduction and requests for declaratory and injunctive relief
- TikTok Inc. and TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC v. Bonta: AB 1709 complaint2:26-cv-12965, Document 1, filed November 4, 2026; introduction and requests for declaratory and injunctive relief
Response record
Responses
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
4 matching responses. Newest first.
Google LLCPlaintiffs acting through counselDirectly involvedBefore this statement
AB 1709 was signed in September and is scheduled to take effect in January 2027.
"Action: Filed a complaint seeking declaratory and injunctive relief against challenged provisions of AB 1709 on First Amendment and federal-law grounds."
CondemnedCase context: Google, Meta and TikTok challenge California's under-16 feed and autoplay limits signed by Newsom
Full statement and sources
Google and YouTube seek to stop AB 1709's feed and autoplay restrictions, arguing that Section 230 preempts them and that the feed restriction violates the First Amendment, including by overriding parents' choices.
After the statement
The complaint seeks to stop enforcement of the challenged provisions against the plaintiffs.
Google LLC and YouTube, LLC v. Bonta: AB 1709 complaint5:26-cv-13204-SVK, Document 1, filed November 4, 2026; introduction and requests for declaratory and injunctive reliefCalifornia AB 1709, chaptered textChapter 183; Business and Professions Code sections 22682-22686Why this label?
Google and YouTube expressly reject AB 1709's restrictions as unlawful.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Meta PlatformsPlaintiff acting through counselDirectly involvedBefore this statement
AB 1709 was signed in September and is scheduled to take effect in January 2027.
"Action: Filed a complaint seeking declaratory and injunctive relief against challenged provisions of AB 1709 on First Amendment and federal-law grounds."
CondemnedCase context: Google, Meta and TikTok challenge California's under-16 feed and autoplay limits signed by Newsom
Full statement and sources
Meta seeks to block AB 1709's feed, autoplay and account-deletion provisions as applied to Facebook, Instagram and Threads, arguing that the state cannot dictate how its services curate and display protected third-party speech.
After the statement
The complaint seeks to stop enforcement of the challenged provisions against Meta.
Meta Platforms, Inc. v. Bonta: AB 1709 complaint3:26-cv-13201, Document 1, filed November 4, 2026; introduction and requests for declaratory and injunctive reliefCalifornia AB 1709, chaptered textChapter 183; Business and Professions Code sections 22682-22686Why this label?
Meta expressly rejects AB 1709's restrictions as unlawful.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
TikTokPlaintiffs acting through counselDirectly involvedBefore this statement
AB 1709 was signed in September and is scheduled to take effect in January 2027.
"Action: Filed a complaint seeking declaratory and injunctive relief against challenged provisions of AB 1709 on First Amendment and federal-law grounds."
CondemnedCase context: Google, Meta and TikTok challenge California's under-16 feed and autoplay limits signed by Newsom
Full statement and sources
TikTok challenges AB 1709 as a speech restriction that would require a different service for users under 16, even with parental consent.
After the statement
The complaint seeks to stop enforcement of the challenged provisions against the plaintiffs.
TikTok Inc. and TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC v. Bonta: AB 1709 complaint2:26-cv-12965, Document 1, filed November 4, 2026; introduction and requests for declaratory and injunctive reliefCalifornia AB 1709, chaptered textChapter 183; Business and Professions Code sections 22682-22686Why this label?
TikTok expressly rejects AB 1709's restrictions as unlawful.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Gavin NewsomGovernor of CaliforniaDirectly involvedBefore this statement
Newsom's statement accompanied the signing of a package that included AB 1709 and separate chatbot, privacy and student-data bills.
"Innovation comes with responsibility and protecting our children comes first."
Defended or excusedCase context: Google, Meta and TikTok challenge California's under-16 feed and autoplay limits signed by Newsom
Full statement and sources
Newsom supports the child-safety package he signed, including restrictions on what the legislation defines as addictive social-media features for users under 16.
After the statement
The release describes a ban on addictive features for users under 16. Its bill list includes AB 1709, whose enacted text contains that ban. His statement predates the November lawsuits.
Newsom signs child-safety chatbot and social-media legislationGovernor's statement; Banning addictive features on social media platforms; bill listCalifornia AB 1709, chaptered textChapter 183; Business and Professions Code sections 22682-22686Why this label?
Newsom expressly endorses the safeguards being scrutinized in this case and signed AB 1709 into law.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(5)
Original text
Google LLC and YouTube, LLC v. Bonta: AB 1709 complaint
Relevant passage: 5:26-cv-13204-SVK, Document 1, filed November 4, 2026; introduction and requests for declaratory and injunctive relief
About this source
The 28-page complaint records the plaintiffs' constitutional and federal-law objections to AB 1709. Its allegations and legal arguments are not findings by the court.
- Author
- Google LLC and YouTube, LLC through counsel
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Newsom signs child-safety chatbot and social-media legislation
Relevant passage: Governor's statement; Banning addictive features on social media platforms; bill list
About this source
Newsom defends the child-safety legislation he signed, including AB 1709. The release also addresses other bills, whose provisions should be kept distinct.
- Author
- Office of Governor Gavin Newsom
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
TikTok Inc. and TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC v. Bonta: AB 1709 complaint
Relevant passage: 2:26-cv-12965, Document 1, filed November 4, 2026; introduction and requests for declaratory and injunctive relief
About this source
The 60-page complaint records the plaintiffs' constitutional and federal-law objections to AB 1709. Its allegations and legal arguments are not findings by the court.
- Author
- TikTok Inc. and TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC through counsel
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Meta Platforms, Inc. v. Bonta: AB 1709 complaint
Relevant passage: 3:26-cv-13201, Document 1, filed November 4, 2026; introduction and requests for declaratory and injunctive relief
About this source
The 49-page complaint records the plaintiff's constitutional and federal-law objections to AB 1709. Its allegations and legal arguments are not findings by the court.
- Author
- Meta Platforms, Inc. through counsel
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
California AB 1709, chaptered text
Relevant passage: Chapter 183; Business and Professions Code sections 22682-22686
About this source
The enacted text prohibits covered platforms from providing defined addictive features to users under 16. It permits accounts without those features and sets age-assurance and enforcement rules.
- Author
- California Legislature
- Published
- Accessed
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Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Google, Meta and TikTok challenge California's under-16 feed and autoplay limits signed by Newsom
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/cases/california-ab-1709-google-meta-tiktok-social-media-law
The Dispute Index. "Google, Meta and TikTok challenge California's under-16 feed and autoplay limits signed by Newsom". First published: 2026-11-06. Last updated: 2026-11-06. https://disputeindex.com/cases/california-ab-1709-google-meta-tiktok-social-media-law