🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 99 (from laksa111)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa099.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/05/mark-zuckerberg-meta-trial\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/05/mark-zuckerberg-meta-trial\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2026\/mar\/05\/mark-zuckerberg-meta-trial","crawl_time":1775377947,"first_indexed_time":1772750162,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,theguardian!www,\/technology\/2026\/mar\/05\/mark-zuckerberg-meta-trial s443","src_root_hash":"4161074618625082499","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Mark Zuckerberg says criminal behavior on Facebook inevitable | Mark Zuckerberg | The Guardian","meta_descriptions":["Meta CEO, grilled about children’s safety, says in taped deposition a user pool of billions will include bad actors"],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Harms to children, such as sexual exploitation and detriments to mental health, are inevitable on Meta’s platforms, the company’s CEO\nMark Zuckerberg\nand Instagram leader Adam Mosseri said in taped depositions played at a trial in New Mexico on Tuesday and Wednesday.\n“I just think if you’re serving billions of people, the unfortunate reality is that some very small percent of them are going to be criminals, and we should work as hard as we can to stop that activity from happening,” said Zuckerberg. “I don’t think that the standard for our platforms would be that you should assume that it will ever be perfect.”\nMeta’s apps, which include Facebook,\nInstagram\n, and WhatsApp, are among the most popular in the world, each with 3 billion monthly active users.\nThe trial has set the social media giant against New Mexico’s attorney general, who alleges that Meta’s platforms put profits and user engagement over child safety. Raul Torrez has accused the company of knowingly enabling predators to use Facebook and Instagram to exploit children. Meta disputes the allegations, citing changes it has introduced, including teen accounts with default protections that debuted in 2024. The trial, which began in early February, is expected to last about seven weeks.\n“We have strict, longstanding rules against child exploitation and have invested billions to fight it, both through proactive detection technology and safety features designed to prevent harm,” said a\nMeta\nspokesperson.\n“We provide industry-leading transparency, regularly sharing data on how much violating content we remove and how much we miss. No system can ever be perfect, and we’ve never claimed to be”\nJurors were shown recorded depositions of Zuckerberg and Mosseri filmed between March and July last year. The jury also heard that family members of Meta employees had experienced sexual solicitation on Instagram.\nProsecutors also presented evidence that the company estimated in 2020 that 500,000 children were receiving sexually inappropriate communications on Instagram each day, including grooming, in which adults attempt to build relationships with minors for sexual purposes.\nIn a statement, a Meta spokesperson said the technology the company used at the time was overly wide and cautious, and as such, interactions that were not inappropriate were included in the count.\nThe company identified the “People you may know” algorithm – which recommends accounts for users to connect with – as a main driver of these interactions, with the tool used to discover victims in 79% of identified cases in 2018. At the time, about 30% of adults whose accounts were disabled for targeting children had returned to the platform and resumed that behavior, the court heard.\nJurors heard that Zuckerberg authorized end-to-end encryption for Facebook Messenger in 2023 despite warnings from child safety groups Thorn and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that the move could pose risks to children. In a taped deposition played at trial, he said the privacy encryption affords users was a more pressing issue. Encryption prevents anyone other than the sender and intended recipient from viewing messages by converting text and images into unreadable ciphers that are decoded on receipt. The content is not stored on Meta’s servers.\nA company spokesperson added that Meta can still review and take action on encrypted messages if they are reported by a user.\nChild safety groups and law enforcement have warned that encrypting Messenger enables predators to share child sexual abuse imagery without detection. Earlier in the trial, a law enforcement officer testified that reports of child sexual abuse material from the platform decreased following encryption.\n“I think that end-to-end encryption messaging services are what people want,” said Zuckerberg in a taped deposition filmed in March 2025. “They really care about privacy.”\nskip past newsletter promotion\nafter newsletter promotion\nMosseri said in his deposition that the company has “developed technology that allows us to find accounts that have shown potentially suspicious behavior, for example, an adult account that might have been blocked by another young person, and to stop those accounts from interacting with young people’s accounts”.\n“We use a range of signals to identify adults who have shown potentially suspicious behavior and avoid recommending these accounts to teens through Facebook’s ‘People you may know’ and Instagram’s ‘Accounts you should follow’ features,” said a Meta spokesperson.\n“In 2025, we used these signals to identify more than 265 million Facebook accounts and more than 135 million Instagram accounts that had shown potentially suspicious behavior, and proactively prevent them from finding, following or interacting with teens.”\nAn internal presentation discussed at trial stated that Instagram’s wellbeing safety team did not always prevent teen accounts from being recommended to potential violators and vice versa. A December 2022 internal audit showed Meta continued to recommend minor accounts to some adults.\nIn September 2024, Meta introduced Teen Accounts, which automatically place users under 18 into stricter settings on Instagram, Facebook and Messenger, including making profiles private by default and limiting who can message them. Researchers have identified gaps in those protections, including exposure to harmful videos through hashtags or recommendations and instances in which safety features did not work as intended.\n“I certainly want to address any problem that’s even remotely as severe as something like sexual solicitation … Any negative action that happens offline, also to a certain degree, happens online,” said Mosseri. “We’re connecting billions of people. That is going to mean good and bad things happen.”","attrs_markdown":"![](https:\/\/sb.scorecardresearch.com\/p?c1=2&c2=6035250&cv=2.0&cj=1&cs_ucfr=0&comscorekw=technology)\n\n[Skip to main content](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2026\/mar\/05\/mark-zuckerberg-meta-trial#maincontent)[Skip to navigation](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2026\/mar\/05\/mark-zuckerberg-meta-trial#navigation)\n\nClose dialogue\n\n1\/1\n\nNext image\n\nPrevious image\n\nToggle caption\n\n[Skip to navigation](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2026\/mar\/05\/mark-zuckerberg-meta-trial#navigation)\n\n[Print subscriptions](https:\/\/support.theguardian.com\/subscribe?REFPVID=mnli70fhm5nzq6iju8tp&INTCMP=undefined&acquisitionData=%7B%22source%22%3A%22GUARDIAN_WEB%22%2C%22componentId%22%3A%22PrintSubscriptionsHeaderLink%22%2C%22componentType%22%3A%22ACQUISITIONS_HEADER%22%2C%22referrerPageviewId%22%3A%22mnli70fhm5nzq6iju8tp%22%2C%22referrerUrl%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Ftechnology%2F2026%2Fmar%2F05%2Fmark-zuckerberg-meta-trial%22%7D)\n\n[Search jobs](https:\/\/jobs.theguardian.com\/)\n\n[Sign in](https:\/\/profile.theguardian.com\/signin?INTCMP=DOTCOM_NEWHEADER_SIGNIN&ABCMP=ab-sign-in&componentEventParams=componentType%3Didentityauthentication%26componentId%3Dguardian_signin_header)\n\nUK\n\n- [UK edition](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/preference\/edition\/uk)\n- [US edition](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/preference\/edition\/us)\n- [Australia edition](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/preference\/edition\/au)\n- [Europe edition](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/preference\/edition\/eur)\n- [International edition](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/preference\/edition\/int)\n\n[The Guardian - Back to homeThe Guardian](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/)\n\n- [News](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/)\n- [Opinion](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/commentisfree)\n- [Sport](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport)\n- [Culture](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/culture)\n- [Lifestyle](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/lifeandstyle)\n\nShow more\n\nHide expanded menu\n\n- News\n  - [View all News](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/)\n  - [UK news](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news)\n  - [US politics](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/us-politics)\n  - [World news](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world)\n  - [Climate crisis](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/climate-crisis)\n  - [Middle East](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/middleeast)\n  - [Ukraine](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/ukraine)\n  - [Football](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football)\n  - [Newsletters](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/email-newsletters)\n  - [Business](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business)\n  - [Environment](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment)\n  - [UK politics](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics)\n  - [Science](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/science)\n  - [Tech](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology)\n  - [Global development](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development)\n  - [Obituaries](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/obituaries)\n- Opinion\n  - [View all Opinion](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/commentisfree)\n  - [The Guardian view](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/profile\/editorial)\n  - [Columnists](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk\/columnists)\n  - [Cartoons](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/tone\/cartoons)\n  - [Opinion videos](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/type\/video+tone\/comment)\n  - [Letters](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/tone\/letters)\n- Sport\n  - [View all Sport](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport)\n  - [Football](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football)\n  - [Cricket](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/cricket)\n  - [Rugby union](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/rugby-union)\n  - [Tennis](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/tennis)\n  - [Cycling](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/cycling)\n  - [F1](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/formulaone)\n  - [Golf](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/golf)\n  - [Boxing](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/boxing)\n  - [Rugby league](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/rugbyleague)\n  - [Racing](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/horse-racing)\n  - [US sports](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/us-sport)\n- Culture\n  - [View all Culture](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/culture)\n  - [Film](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/film)\n  - [Music](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/music)\n  - [TV & radio](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/tv-and-radio)\n  - [Books](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/books)\n  - [Art & design](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/artanddesign)\n  - [Stage](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/stage)\n  - [Games](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/games)\n  - [Classical](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/music\/classicalmusicandopera)\n- Lifestyle\n  - [View all Lifestyle](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/lifeandstyle)\n  - [The Filter](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk\/thefilter)\n  - [Fashion](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/fashion)\n  - [Food](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/food)\n  - [Recipes](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/tone\/recipes)\n  - [Travel](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/travel)\n  - [Health & fitness](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/lifeandstyle\/health-and-wellbeing)\n  - [Women](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/lifeandstyle\/women)\n  - [Men](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/lifeandstyle\/men)\n  - [Love & sex](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/lifeandstyle\/love-and-sex)\n  - [Beauty](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/fashion\/beauty)\n  - [Home & garden](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/lifeandstyle\/home-and-garden)\n  - [Money](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/money)\n  - [Cars](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/motoring)\n  - [Support us](https:\/\/support.theguardian.com\/?INTCMP=side_menu_support&acquisitionData=%7B%22source%22:%22GUARDIAN_WEB%22,%22componentType%22:%22ACQUISITIONS_HEADER%22,%22componentId%22:%22side_menu_support%22%7D)\n  - [Print subscriptions](https:\/\/support.theguardian.com\/subscribe?REFPVID=mnli70fhm5nzq6iju8tp&INTCMP=undefined&acquisitionData=%7B%22source%22%3A%22GUARDIAN_WEB%22%2C%22componentId%22%3A%22PrintSubscriptionsHeaderLink%22%2C%22componentType%22%3A%22ACQUISITIONS_HEADER%22%2C%22referrerPageviewId%22%3A%22mnli70fhm5nzq6iju8tp%22%2C%22referrerUrl%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Ftechnology%2F2026%2Fmar%2F05%2Fmark-zuckerberg-meta-trial%22%7D)\n- - [Search jobs](https:\/\/jobs.theguardian.com\/)\n  - [Hire with Guardian Jobs](https:\/\/recruiters.theguardian.com\/?utm_source=gdnwb&utm_medium=navbar&utm_campaign=Guardian_Navbar_Recruiters&CMP_TU=trdmkt&CMP_BUNIT=jobs)\n  - [Holidays](https:\/\/holidays.theguardian.com\/?INTCMP=holidays_uk_web_newheader)\n  - [Live events](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/guardian-live-events?INTCMP=live_uk_header_dropdown)\n  - [About Us](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/about)\n  - [Digital Archive](https:\/\/theguardian.newspapers.com\/)\n  - [Guardian Print Shop](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/artanddesign\/series\/gnm-print-sales)\n  - [Patrons](https:\/\/patrons.theguardian.com\/?INTCMP=header_patrons)\n  - [Guardian Licensing](https:\/\/licensing.theguardian.com\/)\n  - [The Guardian app](https:\/\/app.adjust.com\/16xt6hai)\n  - [Video](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/video)\n  - [Podcasts](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/podcasts)\n  - [Pictures](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/inpictures)\n  - [Newsletters](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/email-newsletters)\n  - [Today's paper](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/theguardian)\n  - [Inside the Guardian](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/insidetheguardian)\n  - [Guardian Weekly](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/weekly?INTCMP=gdnwb_mawns_editorial_gweekly_GW_TopNav_UK)\n  - [Crosswords](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/crosswords)\n  - [Wordiply](https:\/\/www.wordiply.com\/)\n  - [Corrections](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/theguardian\/series\/corrections-and-clarifications)\n  - [Tips](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/tips)\n- - [Search jobs](https:\/\/jobs.theguardian.com\/)\n  - [Hire with Guardian Jobs](https:\/\/recruiters.theguardian.com\/?utm_source=gdnwb&utm_medium=navbar&utm_campaign=Guardian_Navbar_Recruiters&CMP_TU=trdmkt&CMP_BUNIT=jobs)\n  - [Holidays](https:\/\/holidays.theguardian.com\/?INTCMP=holidays_uk_web_newheader)\n  - [Live events](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/guardian-live-events?INTCMP=live_uk_header_dropdown)\n  - [About Us](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/about)\n  - [Digital Archive](https:\/\/theguardian.newspapers.com\/)\n  - [Guardian Print Shop](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/artanddesign\/series\/gnm-print-sales)\n  - [Patrons](https:\/\/patrons.theguardian.com\/?INTCMP=header_patrons)\n  - [Guardian Licensing](https:\/\/licensing.theguardian.com\/)\n\n- [UK](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news)\n- [US politics](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/us-politics)\n- [World](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world)\n- [Climate crisis](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/climate-crisis)\n- [Middle East](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/middleeast)\n- [Ukraine](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/ukraine)\n- [Football](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football)\n- [Newsletters](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/email-newsletters)\n- [Business](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business)\n- [Environment](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment)\n- [UK politics](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics)\n- [Science](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/science)\n- [Tech](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology)\n- [Global development](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development)\n- [Obituaries](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/obituaries)\n\n![Person testifies via video link](https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f86a6ab7f5f53df923638f4ebc20bd934f696fa5\/256_0_2556_2045\/master\/2556.jpg?width=465&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)\n\nMark Zuckerberg’s deposition is played for jurors in court in Santa Fe on Wednesday. Photograph: Jim Weber\/AP\n\n[View image in fullscreen](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2026\/mar\/05\/mark-zuckerberg-meta-trial#img-1)\n\nMark Zuckerberg’s deposition is played for jurors in court in Santa Fe on Wednesday. Photograph: Jim Weber\/AP\n\n[Mark Zuckerberg](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/mark-zuckerberg)\n\n# Mark Zuckerberg says criminal behavior on Facebook inevitable\nMeta CEO, grilled about children’s safety, says in taped deposition a user pool of billions will include bad actors\n\n[Katie McQue](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/profile\/katie-mcque)\n\nThu 5 Mar 2026 22.26 GMT\n\nLast modified on Thu 5 Mar 2026 22.28 GMT\n\nShare\n\n[Prefer the Guardian on Google](https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=theguardian.com)\n\nHarms to children, such as sexual exploitation and detriments to mental health, are inevitable on Meta’s platforms, the company’s CEO [Mark Zuckerberg](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/mark-zuckerberg) and Instagram leader Adam Mosseri said in taped depositions played at a trial in New Mexico on Tuesday and Wednesday.\n\n“I just think if you’re serving billions of people, the unfortunate reality is that some very small percent of them are going to be criminals, and we should work as hard as we can to stop that activity from happening,” said Zuckerberg. “I don’t think that the standard for our platforms would be that you should assume that it will ever be perfect.”\n\nMeta’s apps, which include Facebook, [Instagram](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/instagram), and WhatsApp, are among the most popular in the world, each with 3 billion monthly active users.\n\nThe trial has set the social media giant against New Mexico’s attorney general, who alleges that Meta’s platforms put profits and user engagement over child safety. Raul Torrez has accused the company of knowingly enabling predators to use Facebook and Instagram to exploit children. Meta disputes the allegations, citing changes it has introduced, including teen accounts with default protections that debuted in 2024. The trial, which began in early February, is expected to last about seven weeks.\n\n“We have strict, longstanding rules against child exploitation and have invested billions to fight it, both through proactive detection technology and safety features designed to prevent harm,” said a [Meta](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/meta) spokesperson.\n\n“We provide industry-leading transparency, regularly sharing data on how much violating content we remove and how much we miss. No system can ever be perfect, and we’ve never claimed to be”\n\nJurors were shown recorded depositions of Zuckerberg and Mosseri filmed between March and July last year. The jury also heard that family members of Meta employees had experienced sexual solicitation on Instagram.\n\nProsecutors also presented evidence that the company estimated in 2020 that 500,000 children were receiving sexually inappropriate communications on Instagram each day, including grooming, in which adults attempt to build relationships with minors for sexual purposes.\n\nIn a statement, a Meta spokesperson said the technology the company used at the time was overly wide and cautious, and as such, interactions that were not inappropriate were included in the count.\n\nThe company identified the “People you may know” algorithm – which recommends accounts for users to connect with – as a main driver of these interactions, with the tool used to discover victims in 79% of identified cases in 2018. At the time, about 30% of adults whose accounts were disabled for targeting children had returned to the platform and resumed that behavior, the court heard.\n\nJurors heard that Zuckerberg authorized end-to-end encryption for Facebook Messenger in 2023 despite warnings from child safety groups Thorn and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that the move could pose risks to children. In a taped deposition played at trial, he said the privacy encryption affords users was a more pressing issue. Encryption prevents anyone other than the sender and intended recipient from viewing messages by converting text and images into unreadable ciphers that are decoded on receipt. The content is not stored on Meta’s servers.\n\nA company spokesperson added that Meta can still review and take action on encrypted messages if they are reported by a user.\n\nChild safety groups and law enforcement have warned that encrypting Messenger enables predators to share child sexual abuse imagery without detection. Earlier in the trial, a law enforcement officer testified that reports of child sexual abuse material from the platform decreased following encryption.\n\n“I think that end-to-end encryption messaging services are what people want,” said Zuckerberg in a taped deposition filmed in March 2025. “They really care about privacy.”\n\n[skip past newsletter promotion](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2026\/mar\/05\/mark-zuckerberg-meta-trial#EmailSignup-skip-link-14)\n\nSign up to TechScape\n\nFree weekly newsletter\n\nA weekly dive in to how technology is shaping our lives\n\n**Privacy Notice:** Newsletters may contain information about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. If you do not have an account, we will create a guest account for you on [theguardian.com](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/) to send you this newsletter. You can complete full registration at any time. For more information about how we use your data see our [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/help\/privacy-policy). We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/policies.google.com\/privacy) and [Terms of Service](https:\/\/policies.google.com\/terms) apply.\n\nafter newsletter promotion\n\nMosseri said in his deposition that the company has “developed technology that allows us to find accounts that have shown potentially suspicious behavior, for example, an adult account that might have been blocked by another young person, and to stop those accounts from interacting with young people’s accounts”.\n\n“We use a range of signals to identify adults who have shown potentially suspicious behavior and avoid recommending these accounts to teens through Facebook’s ‘People you may know’ and Instagram’s ‘Accounts you should follow’ features,” said a Meta spokesperson.\n\n“In 2025, we used these signals to identify more than 265 million Facebook accounts and more than 135 million Instagram accounts that had shown potentially suspicious behavior, and proactively prevent them from finding, following or interacting with teens.”\n\nAn internal presentation discussed at trial stated that Instagram’s wellbeing safety team did not always prevent teen accounts from being recommended to potential violators and vice versa. A December 2022 internal audit showed Meta continued to recommend minor accounts to some adults.\n\nIn September 2024, Meta introduced Teen Accounts, which automatically place users under 18 into stricter settings on Instagram, Facebook and Messenger, including making profiles private by default and limiting who can message them. Researchers have identified gaps in those protections, including exposure to harmful videos through hashtags or recommendations and instances in which safety features did not work as intended.\n\n“I certainly want to address any problem that’s even remotely as severe as something like sexual solicitation … Any negative action that happens offline, also to a certain degree, happens online,” said Mosseri. “We’re connecting billions of people. That is going to mean good and bad things happen.”\n\nExplore more on these topics\n\n- [Mark Zuckerberg](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/mark-zuckerberg)\n- [Meta](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/meta)\n- [Instagram](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/instagram)\n- [New Mexico](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/newmexico)\n- [news](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/tone\/news)\n\nShare\n\n[Reuse this content](https:\/\/syndication.theguardian.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Ftechnology%2F2026%2Fmar%2F05%2Fmark-zuckerberg-meta-trial&type=article&internalpagecode=technology\/2026\/mar\/05\/mark-zuckerberg-meta-trial \"Reuse this content\")\n\n### Most viewed\n- [![](https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/39413b06ed2146601261cf6699e98514d8d87ed3\/437_0_2500_2000\/master\/2500.jpg?width=75&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none) LiveMiddle East crisis live: Iran says at least five people killed by US-Israeli attacks during US pilot rescue operation](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/apr\/05\/middle-east-crisis-live-iran-israel-us-war-trump-strait-hormuz-missing-pilot-downed)\n- [![](https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/25c54cdad3393b45f3345a0f42d017b6186cfdb4\/0_0_1500_1200\/master\/1500.jpg?width=75&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none) ‘It broke our home’: family demands answers after death of man abandoned by US border agents](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/apr\/04\/buffalo-rohingya-refugee-death-homicide-border-agents)\n- [![](https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f25ff0881cf8104e60c5476df96b96139c8b8527\/588_0_3967_3176\/master\/3967.jpg?width=75&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none) US rescues second crew member of downed F-15E fighter jet from Iran](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/apr\/04\/iran-search-missing-us-crew-member-downed-fighter-jet-second-day)\n- [![](https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/b841bed28f6c3a1a8d5178a7aaaed1c9112e80f6\/137_0_2138_1710\/master\/2138.jpg?width=75&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none) US authorities arrest relatives of late Iranian military commander who were living in Los Angeles](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/apr\/04\/soleimani-family-arrested-us-federal-authorities)\n- [![](https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f25ff0881cf8104e60c5476df96b96139c8b8527\/483_103_2602_2082\/master\/2602.jpg?width=75&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none) Netanyahu confirms attack on petrochemical plant– as it happened](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/apr\/04\/middle-east-crisis-live-us-iran-war-missing-pilot-downed-jet-israel-bombards-beirut)\n\n## Related stories\n## Related stories\n- ![](https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/213001cb355a318baedf3c175ee5d312fadeee83\/284_0_2872_2298\/master\/2872.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4)\n  \n  ### Meta on trial over child safety: can it really protect its next generation of users?\n  19 Mar 2026\n- ![](https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/20f8a852ad41f54901e9d156f4bf40feff1eaa2d\/34_0_4590_3672\/master\/4590.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4)\n  \n  ### Zuckerberg claims ‘superintelligence is now in sight’ as Meta lavishes billions on AI\n  30 Jul 2025\n- ![](https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/74c3161f569512ffab2c4418861414e77dd52087\/0_0_2506_2005\/master\/2506.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4)\n  \n  ### Zuckerberg says Meta will build data center the size of Manhattan in latest AI push\n  16 Jul 2025\n- ![](https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/66c9c60e8d441dabc98ab5a18a11a831d19cbc4f\/0_268_4052_2433\/master\/4052.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4)\n  \n  ### Zuckerberg feared monopoly scrutiny and mulled Instagram split, files show\n  15 Apr 2025\n- ![](https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/9a4cc8428e9fe0ed154122c0b12fd671d0af87aa\/0_100_3000_1801\/master\/3000.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4)\n  \n  ### Meta faces antitrust claims at trial over Instagram and WhatsApp ownership\n  14 Apr 2025\n- ![](https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/49afd9e5843d378cec4e4ef3814c1e3c29f8a959\/0_0_6000_3600\/master\/6000.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4)\n  \n  ### Will the EU fight for the truth on Facebook and Instagram?\n  13 Jan 2025\n- ![](https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/1674dc84c29c2434555754f881df69fbb91d1752\/0_200_5075_3045\/master\/5075.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4)\n  \n  ### Mark Zuckerberg’s end to Meta factchecking is a desperate play for engagement\n  10 Jan 2025\n- ![](https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/8219481d427d81c80f4f959d50ecaeb2781244e2\/0_227_4043_2424\/master\/4043.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4)\n  \n  ### Why did Mark Zuckerberg end Facebook and Instagram’s factchecking program?\n  7 Jan 2025\n\n## More from News\n## More from News\n- ![](https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/39413b06ed2146601261cf6699e98514d8d87ed3\/437_0_2500_2000\/master\/2500.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4)\n  \n  ### Middle East crisis liveIran says at least five people killed by US-Israeli attacks during US pilot rescue operation\n  9m ago\n- ![](https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/0902da9ba13ed67e4f339a4b62d679cc60cc6029\/128_0_2325_1860\/master\/2325.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4)\n  \n  ### ExclusiveMinisters working with Labour backbenchers to temper Mahmood immigration plans\n  3h ago\n- ![](https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/a2a887da6ec021e7bf2452dd19debc27687466e9\/396_0_3333_2667\/master\/3333.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4)\n  \n  ### BusinessFair Work Agency’s priorities criticised days before its launch\n  3h ago\n- ![](https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/d6d7d5e6bff0a5e7aa36a2c4bca93ee2013fb7d2\/137_0_3366_2693\/master\/3366.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4)\n  \n  ### UK newsMan arrested at court while attending hearing of Jewish ambulance arson suspects\n  13h ago\n- ![](https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/9496c19f33d8f7db258441f1a188b223b238ce25\/253_0_1196_956\/master\/1196.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4)\n  \n  ### Ukraine war briefingSlovakia PM calls on EU to lift sanctions on Russian oil and gas\n  8h ago\n- ![](https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/d21f04315cd26ce4a7c74d15be25645f04ea2db7\/4812_1055_2564_2052\/master\/2564.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4)\n  \n  ### BusinessFormer Co-op boss was paid almost £2m before leaving after group’s difficult year\n  31m ago\n- ![](https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/446de91cf7d5ffcee8047c2ab038ac745ba4e8ca\/1376_0_6880_5504\/master\/6880.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4)\n  \n  ### Donald TrumpHalting \\$400m White House ballroom project is national security risk, Trump officials say\n  14h ago\n- ![](https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/dfc8024a5bf218fca4886cd0cdc4e9392dfc723f\/398_0_10496_8397\/master\/10496.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4)\n  \n  ### WaitroseSupermarket employee sacked after stopping shoplifter from taking Easter eggs\n  4h ago\n- ![](https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/639dcdf490be1c798e180dd798afcb8983f90d82\/424_120_3460_2768\/master\/3460.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4)\n  \n  ### FA CupShea Charles stuns Arsenal to send Southampton into FA Cup semis\n  11h ago\n  \n  [469 469 comments](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/2026\/apr\/04\/southampton-arsenal-fa-cup-match-report#comments)\n\n## Most viewed\n## Most viewed\n- [Most viewed Across the Guardian](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2026\/mar\/05\/tabs-popular-0)\n- [Most viewed in Technology](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2026\/mar\/05\/tabs-popular-1)\n\n### Most viewed Across the\\&nbsp;Guardian\n1. [US rescues second crew member of downed F-15E fighter jet from Iran](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/apr\/04\/iran-search-missing-us-crew-member-downed-fighter-jet-second-day)\n2. [Waitrose employee sacked after stopping shoplifter from taking Easter eggs](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/2026\/apr\/05\/waitrose-employee-sacked-after-stopping-shoplifter-from-taking-easter-eggs)\n3. [‘I was beaten and tortured’: how a British father and son made a fortune in Dubai then became wanted men](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/apr\/05\/british-father-son-dubai-fortune-wanted-men-prison-beaten-tortured)\n4. [LiveMiddle East crisis live: Iran says at least five people killed by US-Israeli attacks during US pilot rescue operation](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/apr\/05\/middle-east-crisis-live-iran-israel-us-war-trump-strait-hormuz-missing-pilot-downed)\n5. [Is the UK falling out of love with social media?](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/news\/ng-interactive\/2026\/apr\/05\/uk-social-media-apps-share)\n6. [The moment I knew: he kissed me and it felt like I was standing on the edge of a whole new life](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/lifeandstyle\/2026\/apr\/04\/the-moment-i-knew-he-kissed-me-and-it-felt-like-i-was-standing-on-the-edge-of-a-whole-new-life)\n7. [Man arrested at court while attending hearing of Jewish ambulance arson suspects](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/2026\/apr\/04\/fourth-person-arrested-over-arson-attack-on-jewish-ambulances-in-london)\n8. [Halting \\$400m White House ballroom project is national security risk, Trump officials say](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/apr\/04\/trump-white-house-ballroom-project)\n9. [Parts of UK braced for heavy snow and gale-force winds as Storm Dave arrives](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/2026\/apr\/04\/uk-weather-storm-dave-travel-easter-england-scotland-wales)\n10. [‘Nobody would forgive me if I told the truth’: new film about pacifist turned Nazi collaborator divides France](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/film\/2026\/apr\/05\/les-rayons-et-les-ombres-rays-and-shadows-xavier-giannoli-jean-dujardin)\n\n### Most viewed in Technology\n1. [An AI bot invited me to its party in Manchester. It was a pretty good night](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2026\/apr\/05\/ai-bot-party-manchester-gaskell)\n2. [MacBook Neo review: the budget Apple laptop powered by an iPhone chip](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2026\/mar\/31\/macbook-neo-review-budget-apple-laptop-iphone-chip)\n3. [I wore Meta’s smartglasses for a month – and it left me feeling like a creep](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2026\/apr\/01\/i-wore-metas-smartglasses-for-a-month-and-it-left-me-feeling-like-a-creep)\n4. [The Voorhees law of traffic: when overtaken slow cars seem to always catch up at a red light](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2026\/apr\/01\/traffic-overtaking-slow-cars-catch-up-red-light-driving-research)\n5. [UK’s leading AI research institute told to make ‘significant’ changes](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2026\/apr\/03\/uk-alan-turing-institute-ai-research-underperforming-ukri)\n6. [UK parents: what do you think about the government’s advice on screen time for children under five?](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2026\/mar\/31\/uk-parents-what-do-you-think-about-the-governments-advice-on-screen-time-for-children-under-five)\n7. [The jobs AI can’t do – and the young adults doing them](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2026\/mar\/31\/jobs-ai-cant-do-young-adults)\n8. [Landmark losses for Meta and YouTube as big tech misses the point](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2026\/mar\/31\/meta-youtube-social-media-court-cases)\n9. [Claude’s code: Anthropic leaks source code for AI software engineering tool](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2026\/apr\/01\/anthropic-claudes-code-leaks-ai)\n10. [Pupils in England are losing their thinking skills because of AI, survey suggests](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2026\/apr\/02\/pupils-england-losing-thinking-skills-because-of-ai-survey)\n\n- [UK](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news)\n- [US politics](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/us-politics)\n- [World](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world)\n- [Climate crisis](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/climate-crisis)\n- [Middle East](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/middleeast)\n- [Ukraine](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/ukraine)\n- [Football](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football)\n- [Newsletters](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/email-newsletters)\n- [Business](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business)\n- [Environment](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment)\n- [UK politics](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics)\n- [Science](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/science)\n- [Tech](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology)\n- [Global development](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development)\n- [Obituaries](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/obituaries)\n\nMore\n\n- [News](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/)\n- [Opinion](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/commentisfree)\n- [Sport](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport)\n- [Culture](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/culture)\n- [Lifestyle](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/lifeandstyle)\n\nOriginal reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning\n\n[Sign up for our email](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global\/2022\/sep\/20\/sign-up-for-the-first-edition-newsletter-our-free-news-email)\n\n- [About us](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/about)\n- [Help](https:\/\/manage.theguardian.com\/help-centre)\n- [Complaints & corrections](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/info\/complaints-and-corrections)\n- [Contact us](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/help\/contact-us)\n- [Tip us off](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/tips)\n- [SecureDrop](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/securedrop)\n- [Privacy policy](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/info\/privacy)\n- [Cookie policy](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/info\/cookies)\n- [Modern Slavery Act](https:\/\/uploads.guim.co.uk\/2025\/09\/05\/Modern_Slavery_Statement_2025.pdf)\n- [Tax strategy](https:\/\/uploads.guim.co.uk\/2025\/09\/05\/Tax_strategy_for_the_year_ended_31_March_2025.pdf)\n- [Terms & conditions](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/help\/terms-of-service)\n\n- [All topics](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/index\/subjects\/a)\n- [All writers](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/index\/contributors)\n- [Newsletters](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/email-newsletters?INTCMP=DOTCOM_FOOTER_NEWSLETTER_UK)\n- [Digital newspaper archive](https:\/\/theguardian.newspapers.com\/)\n- [Bluesky](https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/theguardian.com)\n- [Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/theguardian)\n- [Instagram](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/guardian)\n- [LinkedIn](https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/theguardian)\n- [Threads](https:\/\/www.threads.com\/@guardian)\n- [TikTok](https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@guardian)\n- [YouTube](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/TheGuardian)\n\n- [Advertise with us](https:\/\/advertising.theguardian.com\/)\n- [Guardian Labs](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/guardian-labs)\n- [Search jobs](https:\/\/jobs.theguardian.com\/)\n- [Patrons](https:\/\/patrons.theguardian.com\/?INTCMP=footer_patrons)\n- [Work with us](https:\/\/workwithus.theguardian.com\/)\n- [Accessibility settings](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/help\/accessibility-help)\n\nSupport the Guardian\n\nAvailable for everyone, funded by readers\n\n[Support us](https:\/\/support.theguardian.com\/?INTCMP=footer_support&acquisitionData=%7B%22source%22:%22GUARDIAN_WEB%22,%22componentType%22:%22ACQUISITIONS_FOOTER%22,%22componentId%22:%22footer_support%22%7D)\n\n[Back to top](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2026\/mar\/05\/mark-zuckerberg-meta-trial#top)\n\n© 2026 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved.\n\n(dcr)","attrs_readable_markdown":"Harms to children, such as sexual exploitation and detriments to mental health, are inevitable on Meta’s platforms, the company’s CEO [Mark Zuckerberg](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/mark-zuckerberg) and Instagram leader Adam Mosseri said in taped depositions played at a trial in New Mexico on Tuesday and Wednesday.\n\n“I just think if you’re serving billions of people, the unfortunate reality is that some very small percent of them are going to be criminals, and we should work as hard as we can to stop that activity from happening,” said Zuckerberg. “I don’t think that the standard for our platforms would be that you should assume that it will ever be perfect.”\n\nMeta’s apps, which include Facebook, [Instagram](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/instagram), and WhatsApp, are among the most popular in the world, each with 3 billion monthly active users.\n\nThe trial has set the social media giant against New Mexico’s attorney general, who alleges that Meta’s platforms put profits and user engagement over child safety. Raul Torrez has accused the company of knowingly enabling predators to use Facebook and Instagram to exploit children. Meta disputes the allegations, citing changes it has introduced, including teen accounts with default protections that debuted in 2024. The trial, which began in early February, is expected to last about seven weeks.\n\n“We have strict, longstanding rules against child exploitation and have invested billions to fight it, both through proactive detection technology and safety features designed to prevent harm,” said a [Meta](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/meta) spokesperson.\n\n“We provide industry-leading transparency, regularly sharing data on how much violating content we remove and how much we miss. No system can ever be perfect, and we’ve never claimed to be”\n\nJurors were shown recorded depositions of Zuckerberg and Mosseri filmed between March and July last year. The jury also heard that family members of Meta employees had experienced sexual solicitation on Instagram.\n\nProsecutors also presented evidence that the company estimated in 2020 that 500,000 children were receiving sexually inappropriate communications on Instagram each day, including grooming, in which adults attempt to build relationships with minors for sexual purposes.\n\nIn a statement, a Meta spokesperson said the technology the company used at the time was overly wide and cautious, and as such, interactions that were not inappropriate were included in the count.\n\nThe company identified the “People you may know” algorithm – which recommends accounts for users to connect with – as a main driver of these interactions, with the tool used to discover victims in 79% of identified cases in 2018. At the time, about 30% of adults whose accounts were disabled for targeting children had returned to the platform and resumed that behavior, the court heard.\n\nJurors heard that Zuckerberg authorized end-to-end encryption for Facebook Messenger in 2023 despite warnings from child safety groups Thorn and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that the move could pose risks to children. In a taped deposition played at trial, he said the privacy encryption affords users was a more pressing issue. Encryption prevents anyone other than the sender and intended recipient from viewing messages by converting text and images into unreadable ciphers that are decoded on receipt. The content is not stored on Meta’s servers.\n\nA company spokesperson added that Meta can still review and take action on encrypted messages if they are reported by a user.\n\nChild safety groups and law enforcement have warned that encrypting Messenger enables predators to share child sexual abuse imagery without detection. Earlier in the trial, a law enforcement officer testified that reports of child sexual abuse material from the platform decreased following encryption.\n\n“I think that end-to-end encryption messaging services are what people want,” said Zuckerberg in a taped deposition filmed in March 2025. “They really care about privacy.”\n\n[skip past newsletter promotion](https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2026\/mar\/05\/mark-zuckerberg-meta-trial#EmailSignup-skip-link-14)\n\nafter newsletter promotion\n\nMosseri said in his deposition that the company has “developed technology that allows us to find accounts that have shown potentially suspicious behavior, for example, an adult account that might have been blocked by another young person, and to stop those accounts from interacting with young people’s accounts”.\n\n“We use a range of signals to identify adults who have shown potentially suspicious behavior and avoid recommending these accounts to teens through Facebook’s ‘People you may know’ and Instagram’s ‘Accounts you should follow’ features,” said a Meta spokesperson.\n\n“In 2025, we used these signals to identify more than 265 million Facebook accounts and more than 135 million Instagram accounts that had shown potentially suspicious behavior, and proactively prevent them from finding, following or interacting with teens.”\n\nAn internal presentation discussed at trial stated that Instagram’s wellbeing safety team did not always prevent teen accounts from being recommended to potential violators and vice versa. A December 2022 internal audit showed Meta continued to recommend minor accounts to some adults.\n\nIn September 2024, Meta introduced Teen Accounts, which automatically place users under 18 into stricter settings on Instagram, Facebook and Messenger, including making profiles private by default and limiting who can message them. Researchers have identified gaps in those protections, including exposure to harmful videos through hashtags or recommendations and instances in which safety features did not work as intended.\n\n“I certainly want to address any problem that’s even remotely as severe as something like sexual solicitation … Any negative action that happens offline, also to a certain degree, happens online,” said Mosseri. “We’re connecting billions of people. That is going to mean good and bad things happen.”","meta_canonical":null}

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:

Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:

Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

📄

INDEXABLE

✅

CRAWLED

9 days ago

🚫

ROBOTS BLOCKED

Page Info Filters

Filter	Status	Condition	Details
HTTP status	PASS	`download_http_code = 200`	HTTP 200
Age cutoff	PASS	`download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH`	0.3 months ago
History drop	PASS	`isNull(history_drop_reason)`	No drop reason
Spam/ban	PASS	`fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0`	ml_spam_score=0
Canonical	PASS	`meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed`	Not set

Page Details

Property	Value
URL	https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/05/mark-zuckerberg-meta-trial
Last Crawled	2026-04-05 08:32:27 (9 days ago)
First Indexed	2026-03-05 22:36:02 (1 month ago)
HTTP Status Code	200
Meta Title	Mark Zuckerberg says criminal behavior on Facebook inevitable \| Mark Zuckerberg \| The Guardian
Meta Description	Meta CEO, grilled about children’s safety, says in taped deposition a user pool of billions will include bad actors
Meta Canonical	null
Boilerpipe Text	Harms to children, such as sexual exploitation and detriments to mental health, are inevitable on Meta’s platforms, the company’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram leader Adam Mosseri said in taped depositions played at a trial in New Mexico on Tuesday and Wednesday. “I just think if you’re serving billions of people, the unfortunate reality is that some very small percent of them are going to be criminals, and we should work as hard as we can to stop that activity from happening,” said Zuckerberg. “I don’t think that the standard for our platforms would be that you should assume that it will ever be perfect.” Meta’s apps, which include Facebook, Instagram , and WhatsApp, are among the most popular in the world, each with 3 billion monthly active users. The trial has set the social media giant against New Mexico’s attorney general, who alleges that Meta’s platforms put profits and user engagement over child safety. Raul Torrez has accused the company of knowingly enabling predators to use Facebook and Instagram to exploit children. Meta disputes the allegations, citing changes it has introduced, including teen accounts with default protections that debuted in 2024. The trial, which began in early February, is expected to last about seven weeks. “We have strict, longstanding rules against child exploitation and have invested billions to fight it, both through proactive detection technology and safety features designed to prevent harm,” said a Meta spokesperson. “We provide industry-leading transparency, regularly sharing data on how much violating content we remove and how much we miss. No system can ever be perfect, and we’ve never claimed to be” Jurors were shown recorded depositions of Zuckerberg and Mosseri filmed between March and July last year. The jury also heard that family members of Meta employees had experienced sexual solicitation on Instagram. Prosecutors also presented evidence that the company estimated in 2020 that 500,000 children were receiving sexually inappropriate communications on Instagram each day, including grooming, in which adults attempt to build relationships with minors for sexual purposes. In a statement, a Meta spokesperson said the technology the company used at the time was overly wide and cautious, and as such, interactions that were not inappropriate were included in the count. The company identified the “People you may know” algorithm – which recommends accounts for users to connect with – as a main driver of these interactions, with the tool used to discover victims in 79% of identified cases in 2018. At the time, about 30% of adults whose accounts were disabled for targeting children had returned to the platform and resumed that behavior, the court heard. Jurors heard that Zuckerberg authorized end-to-end encryption for Facebook Messenger in 2023 despite warnings from child safety groups Thorn and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that the move could pose risks to children. In a taped deposition played at trial, he said the privacy encryption affords users was a more pressing issue. Encryption prevents anyone other than the sender and intended recipient from viewing messages by converting text and images into unreadable ciphers that are decoded on receipt. The content is not stored on Meta’s servers. A company spokesperson added that Meta can still review and take action on encrypted messages if they are reported by a user. Child safety groups and law enforcement have warned that encrypting Messenger enables predators to share child sexual abuse imagery without detection. Earlier in the trial, a law enforcement officer testified that reports of child sexual abuse material from the platform decreased following encryption. “I think that end-to-end encryption messaging services are what people want,” said Zuckerberg in a taped deposition filmed in March 2025. “They really care about privacy.” skip past newsletter promotion after newsletter promotion Mosseri said in his deposition that the company has “developed technology that allows us to find accounts that have shown potentially suspicious behavior, for example, an adult account that might have been blocked by another young person, and to stop those accounts from interacting with young people’s accounts”. “We use a range of signals to identify adults who have shown potentially suspicious behavior and avoid recommending these accounts to teens through Facebook’s ‘People you may know’ and Instagram’s ‘Accounts you should follow’ features,” said a Meta spokesperson. “In 2025, we used these signals to identify more than 265 million Facebook accounts and more than 135 million Instagram accounts that had shown potentially suspicious behavior, and proactively prevent them from finding, following or interacting with teens.” An internal presentation discussed at trial stated that Instagram’s wellbeing safety team did not always prevent teen accounts from being recommended to potential violators and vice versa. A December 2022 internal audit showed Meta continued to recommend minor accounts to some adults. In September 2024, Meta introduced Teen Accounts, which automatically place users under 18 into stricter settings on Instagram, Facebook and Messenger, including making profiles private by default and limiting who can message them. Researchers have identified gaps in those protections, including exposure to harmful videos through hashtags or recommendations and instances in which safety features did not work as intended. “I certainly want to address any problem that’s even remotely as severe as something like sexual solicitation … Any negative action that happens offline, also to a certain degree, happens online,” said Mosseri. “We’re connecting billions of people. That is going to mean good and bad things happen.”
Markdown	![](https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&c2=6035250&cv=2.0&cj=1&cs_ucfr=0&comscorekw=technology) [Skip to main content](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/05/mark-zuckerberg-meta-trial#maincontent)[Skip to navigation](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/05/mark-zuckerberg-meta-trial#navigation) Close dialogue 1/1 Next image Previous image Toggle caption [Skip to navigation](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/05/mark-zuckerberg-meta-trial#navigation) [Print subscriptions](https://support.theguardian.com/subscribe?REFPVID=mnli70fhm5nzq6iju8tp&INTCMP=undefined&acquisitionData=%7B%22source%22%3A%22GUARDIAN_WEB%22%2C%22componentId%22%3A%22PrintSubscriptionsHeaderLink%22%2C%22componentType%22%3A%22ACQUISITIONS_HEADER%22%2C%22referrerPageviewId%22%3A%22mnli70fhm5nzq6iju8tp%22%2C%22referrerUrl%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Ftechnology%2F2026%2Fmar%2F05%2Fmark-zuckerberg-meta-trial%22%7D) [Search jobs](https://jobs.theguardian.com/) [Sign in](https://profile.theguardian.com/signin?INTCMP=DOTCOM_NEWHEADER_SIGNIN&ABCMP=ab-sign-in&componentEventParams=componentType%3Didentityauthentication%26componentId%3Dguardian_signin_header) UK - [UK edition](https://www.theguardian.com/preference/edition/uk) - [US edition](https://www.theguardian.com/preference/edition/us) - [Australia edition](https://www.theguardian.com/preference/edition/au) - [Europe edition](https://www.theguardian.com/preference/edition/eur) - [International edition](https://www.theguardian.com/preference/edition/int) [The Guardian - Back to homeThe Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/) - [News](https://www.theguardian.com/) - [Opinion](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree) - [Sport](https://www.theguardian.com/sport) - [Culture](https://www.theguardian.com/culture) - [Lifestyle](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle) Show more Hide expanded menu - News - [View all News](https://www.theguardian.com/) - [UK news](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news) - [US politics](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/us-politics) - [World news](https://www.theguardian.com/world) - [Climate crisis](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-crisis) - [Middle East](https://www.theguardian.com/world/middleeast) - [Ukraine](https://www.theguardian.com/world/ukraine) - [Football](https://www.theguardian.com/football) - [Newsletters](https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters) - [Business](https://www.theguardian.com/business) - [Environment](https://www.theguardian.com/environment) - [UK politics](https://www.theguardian.com/politics) - [Science](https://www.theguardian.com/science) - [Tech](https://www.theguardian.com/technology) - [Global development](https://www.theguardian.com/global-development) - [Obituaries](https://www.theguardian.com/obituaries) - Opinion - [View all Opinion](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree) - [The Guardian view](https://www.theguardian.com/profile/editorial) - [Columnists](https://www.theguardian.com/uk/columnists) - [Cartoons](https://www.theguardian.com/tone/cartoons) - [Opinion videos](https://www.theguardian.com/type/video+tone/comment) - [Letters](https://www.theguardian.com/tone/letters) - Sport - [View all Sport](https://www.theguardian.com/sport) - [Football](https://www.theguardian.com/football) - [Cricket](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/cricket) - [Rugby union](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/rugby-union) - [Tennis](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/tennis) - [Cycling](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/cycling) - [F1](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/formulaone) - [Golf](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/golf) - [Boxing](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/boxing) - [Rugby league](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/rugbyleague) - [Racing](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/horse-racing) - [US sports](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/us-sport) - Culture - [View all Culture](https://www.theguardian.com/culture) - [Film](https://www.theguardian.com/film) - [Music](https://www.theguardian.com/music) - [TV & radio](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio) - [Books](https://www.theguardian.com/books) - [Art & design](https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign) - [Stage](https://www.theguardian.com/stage) - [Games](https://www.theguardian.com/games) - [Classical](https://www.theguardian.com/music/classicalmusicandopera) - Lifestyle - [View all Lifestyle](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle) - [The Filter](https://www.theguardian.com/uk/thefilter) - [Fashion](https://www.theguardian.com/fashion) - [Food](https://www.theguardian.com/food) - [Recipes](https://www.theguardian.com/tone/recipes) - [Travel](https://www.theguardian.com/travel) - [Health & fitness](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/health-and-wellbeing) - [Women](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/women) - [Men](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/men) - [Love & sex](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/love-and-sex) - [Beauty](https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/beauty) - [Home & garden](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/home-and-garden) - [Money](https://www.theguardian.com/money) - [Cars](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/motoring) - [Support us](https://support.theguardian.com/?INTCMP=side_menu_support&acquisitionData=%7B%22source%22:%22GUARDIAN_WEB%22,%22componentType%22:%22ACQUISITIONS_HEADER%22,%22componentId%22:%22side_menu_support%22%7D) - [Print subscriptions](https://support.theguardian.com/subscribe?REFPVID=mnli70fhm5nzq6iju8tp&INTCMP=undefined&acquisitionData=%7B%22source%22%3A%22GUARDIAN_WEB%22%2C%22componentId%22%3A%22PrintSubscriptionsHeaderLink%22%2C%22componentType%22%3A%22ACQUISITIONS_HEADER%22%2C%22referrerPageviewId%22%3A%22mnli70fhm5nzq6iju8tp%22%2C%22referrerUrl%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Ftechnology%2F2026%2Fmar%2F05%2Fmark-zuckerberg-meta-trial%22%7D) - - [Search jobs](https://jobs.theguardian.com/) - [Hire with Guardian Jobs](https://recruiters.theguardian.com/?utm_source=gdnwb&utm_medium=navbar&utm_campaign=Guardian_Navbar_Recruiters&CMP_TU=trdmkt&CMP_BUNIT=jobs) - [Holidays](https://holidays.theguardian.com/?INTCMP=holidays_uk_web_newheader) - [Live events](https://www.theguardian.com/guardian-live-events?INTCMP=live_uk_header_dropdown) - [About Us](https://www.theguardian.com/about) - [Digital Archive](https://theguardian.newspapers.com/) - [Guardian Print Shop](https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/series/gnm-print-sales) - [Patrons](https://patrons.theguardian.com/?INTCMP=header_patrons) - [Guardian Licensing](https://licensing.theguardian.com/) - [The Guardian app](https://app.adjust.com/16xt6hai) - [Video](https://www.theguardian.com/video) - [Podcasts](https://www.theguardian.com/podcasts) - [Pictures](https://www.theguardian.com/inpictures) - [Newsletters](https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters) - [Today's paper](https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian) - [Inside the Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/insidetheguardian) - [Guardian Weekly](https://www.theguardian.com/weekly?INTCMP=gdnwb_mawns_editorial_gweekly_GW_TopNav_UK) - [Crosswords](https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords) - [Wordiply](https://www.wordiply.com/) - [Corrections](https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/series/corrections-and-clarifications) - [Tips](https://www.theguardian.com/tips) - - [Search jobs](https://jobs.theguardian.com/) - [Hire with Guardian Jobs](https://recruiters.theguardian.com/?utm_source=gdnwb&utm_medium=navbar&utm_campaign=Guardian_Navbar_Recruiters&CMP_TU=trdmkt&CMP_BUNIT=jobs) - [Holidays](https://holidays.theguardian.com/?INTCMP=holidays_uk_web_newheader) - [Live events](https://www.theguardian.com/guardian-live-events?INTCMP=live_uk_header_dropdown) - [About Us](https://www.theguardian.com/about) - [Digital Archive](https://theguardian.newspapers.com/) - [Guardian Print Shop](https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/series/gnm-print-sales) - [Patrons](https://patrons.theguardian.com/?INTCMP=header_patrons) - [Guardian Licensing](https://licensing.theguardian.com/) - [UK](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news) - [US politics](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/us-politics) - [World](https://www.theguardian.com/world) - [Climate crisis](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-crisis) - [Middle East](https://www.theguardian.com/world/middleeast) - [Ukraine](https://www.theguardian.com/world/ukraine) - [Football](https://www.theguardian.com/football) - [Newsletters](https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters) - [Business](https://www.theguardian.com/business) - [Environment](https://www.theguardian.com/environment) - [UK politics](https://www.theguardian.com/politics) - [Science](https://www.theguardian.com/science) - [Tech](https://www.theguardian.com/technology) - [Global development](https://www.theguardian.com/global-development) - [Obituaries](https://www.theguardian.com/obituaries) ![Person testifies via video link](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/f86a6ab7f5f53df923638f4ebc20bd934f696fa5/256_0_2556_2045/master/2556.jpg?width=465&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none) Mark Zuckerberg’s deposition is played for jurors in court in Santa Fe on Wednesday. Photograph: Jim Weber/AP [View image in fullscreen](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/05/mark-zuckerberg-meta-trial#img-1) Mark Zuckerberg’s deposition is played for jurors in court in Santa Fe on Wednesday. Photograph: Jim Weber/AP [Mark Zuckerberg](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/mark-zuckerberg) # Mark Zuckerberg says criminal behavior on Facebook inevitable Meta CEO, grilled about children’s safety, says in taped deposition a user pool of billions will include bad actors [Katie McQue](https://www.theguardian.com/profile/katie-mcque) Thu 5 Mar 2026 22.26 GMT Last modified on Thu 5 Mar 2026 22.28 GMT Share [Prefer the Guardian on Google](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=theguardian.com) Harms to children, such as sexual exploitation and detriments to mental health, are inevitable on Meta’s platforms, the company’s CEO [Mark Zuckerberg](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/mark-zuckerberg) and Instagram leader Adam Mosseri said in taped depositions played at a trial in New Mexico on Tuesday and Wednesday. “I just think if you’re serving billions of people, the unfortunate reality is that some very small percent of them are going to be criminals, and we should work as hard as we can to stop that activity from happening,” said Zuckerberg. “I don’t think that the standard for our platforms would be that you should assume that it will ever be perfect.” Meta’s apps, which include Facebook, [Instagram](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/instagram), and WhatsApp, are among the most popular in the world, each with 3 billion monthly active users. The trial has set the social media giant against New Mexico’s attorney general, who alleges that Meta’s platforms put profits and user engagement over child safety. Raul Torrez has accused the company of knowingly enabling predators to use Facebook and Instagram to exploit children. Meta disputes the allegations, citing changes it has introduced, including teen accounts with default protections that debuted in 2024. The trial, which began in early February, is expected to last about seven weeks. “We have strict, longstanding rules against child exploitation and have invested billions to fight it, both through proactive detection technology and safety features designed to prevent harm,” said a [Meta](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/meta) spokesperson. “We provide industry-leading transparency, regularly sharing data on how much violating content we remove and how much we miss. No system can ever be perfect, and we’ve never claimed to be” Jurors were shown recorded depositions of Zuckerberg and Mosseri filmed between March and July last year. The jury also heard that family members of Meta employees had experienced sexual solicitation on Instagram. Prosecutors also presented evidence that the company estimated in 2020 that 500,000 children were receiving sexually inappropriate communications on Instagram each day, including grooming, in which adults attempt to build relationships with minors for sexual purposes. In a statement, a Meta spokesperson said the technology the company used at the time was overly wide and cautious, and as such, interactions that were not inappropriate were included in the count. The company identified the “People you may know” algorithm – which recommends accounts for users to connect with – as a main driver of these interactions, with the tool used to discover victims in 79% of identified cases in 2018. At the time, about 30% of adults whose accounts were disabled for targeting children had returned to the platform and resumed that behavior, the court heard. Jurors heard that Zuckerberg authorized end-to-end encryption for Facebook Messenger in 2023 despite warnings from child safety groups Thorn and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that the move could pose risks to children. In a taped deposition played at trial, he said the privacy encryption affords users was a more pressing issue. Encryption prevents anyone other than the sender and intended recipient from viewing messages by converting text and images into unreadable ciphers that are decoded on receipt. The content is not stored on Meta’s servers. A company spokesperson added that Meta can still review and take action on encrypted messages if they are reported by a user. Child safety groups and law enforcement have warned that encrypting Messenger enables predators to share child sexual abuse imagery without detection. Earlier in the trial, a law enforcement officer testified that reports of child sexual abuse material from the platform decreased following encryption. “I think that end-to-end encryption messaging services are what people want,” said Zuckerberg in a taped deposition filmed in March 2025. “They really care about privacy.” [skip past newsletter promotion](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/05/mark-zuckerberg-meta-trial#EmailSignup-skip-link-14) Sign up to TechScape Free weekly newsletter A weekly dive in to how technology is shaping our lives Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. If you do not have an account, we will create a guest account for you on [theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/) to send you this newsletter. You can complete full registration at any time. For more information about how we use your data see our [Privacy Policy](https://www.theguardian.com/help/privacy-policy). We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google [Privacy Policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy) and [Terms of Service](https://policies.google.com/terms) apply. after newsletter promotion Mosseri said in his deposition that the company has “developed technology that allows us to find accounts that have shown potentially suspicious behavior, for example, an adult account that might have been blocked by another young person, and to stop those accounts from interacting with young people’s accounts”. “We use a range of signals to identify adults who have shown potentially suspicious behavior and avoid recommending these accounts to teens through Facebook’s ‘People you may know’ and Instagram’s ‘Accounts you should follow’ features,” said a Meta spokesperson. “In 2025, we used these signals to identify more than 265 million Facebook accounts and more than 135 million Instagram accounts that had shown potentially suspicious behavior, and proactively prevent them from finding, following or interacting with teens.” An internal presentation discussed at trial stated that Instagram’s wellbeing safety team did not always prevent teen accounts from being recommended to potential violators and vice versa. A December 2022 internal audit showed Meta continued to recommend minor accounts to some adults. In September 2024, Meta introduced Teen Accounts, which automatically place users under 18 into stricter settings on Instagram, Facebook and Messenger, including making profiles private by default and limiting who can message them. Researchers have identified gaps in those protections, including exposure to harmful videos through hashtags or recommendations and instances in which safety features did not work as intended. “I certainly want to address any problem that’s even remotely as severe as something like sexual solicitation … Any negative action that happens offline, also to a certain degree, happens online,” said Mosseri. “We’re connecting billions of people. That is going to mean good and bad things happen.” Explore more on these topics - [Mark Zuckerberg](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/mark-zuckerberg) - [Meta](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/meta) - [Instagram](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/instagram) - [New Mexico](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/newmexico) - [news](https://www.theguardian.com/tone/news) Share [Reuse this content](https://syndication.theguardian.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Ftechnology%2F2026%2Fmar%2F05%2Fmark-zuckerberg-meta-trial&type=article&internalpagecode=technology/2026/mar/05/mark-zuckerberg-meta-trial "Reuse this content") ### Most viewed - [![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/39413b06ed2146601261cf6699e98514d8d87ed3/437_0_2500_2000/master/2500.jpg?width=75&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none) LiveMiddle East crisis live: Iran says at least five people killed by US-Israeli attacks during US pilot rescue operation](https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/apr/05/middle-east-crisis-live-iran-israel-us-war-trump-strait-hormuz-missing-pilot-downed) - [![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/25c54cdad3393b45f3345a0f42d017b6186cfdb4/0_0_1500_1200/master/1500.jpg?width=75&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none) ‘It broke our home’: family demands answers after death of man abandoned by US border agents](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/04/buffalo-rohingya-refugee-death-homicide-border-agents) - [![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/f25ff0881cf8104e60c5476df96b96139c8b8527/588_0_3967_3176/master/3967.jpg?width=75&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none) US rescues second crew member of downed F-15E fighter jet from Iran](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/04/iran-search-missing-us-crew-member-downed-fighter-jet-second-day) - [![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/b841bed28f6c3a1a8d5178a7aaaed1c9112e80f6/137_0_2138_1710/master/2138.jpg?width=75&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none) US authorities arrest relatives of late Iranian military commander who were living in Los Angeles](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/04/soleimani-family-arrested-us-federal-authorities) - [![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/f25ff0881cf8104e60c5476df96b96139c8b8527/483_103_2602_2082/master/2602.jpg?width=75&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none) Netanyahu confirms attack on petrochemical plant– as it happened](https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/apr/04/middle-east-crisis-live-us-iran-war-missing-pilot-downed-jet-israel-bombards-beirut) ## Related stories ## Related stories - ![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/213001cb355a318baedf3c175ee5d312fadeee83/284_0_2872_2298/master/2872.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4) ### Meta on trial over child safety: can it really protect its next generation of users? 19 Mar 2026 - ![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/20f8a852ad41f54901e9d156f4bf40feff1eaa2d/34_0_4590_3672/master/4590.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4) ### Zuckerberg claims ‘superintelligence is now in sight’ as Meta lavishes billions on AI 30 Jul 2025 - ![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/74c3161f569512ffab2c4418861414e77dd52087/0_0_2506_2005/master/2506.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4) ### Zuckerberg says Meta will build data center the size of Manhattan in latest AI push 16 Jul 2025 - ![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/66c9c60e8d441dabc98ab5a18a11a831d19cbc4f/0_268_4052_2433/master/4052.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4) ### Zuckerberg feared monopoly scrutiny and mulled Instagram split, files show 15 Apr 2025 - ![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/9a4cc8428e9fe0ed154122c0b12fd671d0af87aa/0_100_3000_1801/master/3000.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4) ### Meta faces antitrust claims at trial over Instagram and WhatsApp ownership 14 Apr 2025 - ![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/49afd9e5843d378cec4e4ef3814c1e3c29f8a959/0_0_6000_3600/master/6000.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4) ### Will the EU fight for the truth on Facebook and Instagram? 13 Jan 2025 - ![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/1674dc84c29c2434555754f881df69fbb91d1752/0_200_5075_3045/master/5075.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4) ### Mark Zuckerberg’s end to Meta factchecking is a desperate play for engagement 10 Jan 2025 - ![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/8219481d427d81c80f4f959d50ecaeb2781244e2/0_227_4043_2424/master/4043.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4) ### Why did Mark Zuckerberg end Facebook and Instagram’s factchecking program? 7 Jan 2025 ## More from News ## More from News - ![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/39413b06ed2146601261cf6699e98514d8d87ed3/437_0_2500_2000/master/2500.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4) ### Middle East crisis liveIran says at least five people killed by US-Israeli attacks during US pilot rescue operation 9m ago - ![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/0902da9ba13ed67e4f339a4b62d679cc60cc6029/128_0_2325_1860/master/2325.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4) ### ExclusiveMinisters working with Labour backbenchers to temper Mahmood immigration plans 3h ago - ![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/a2a887da6ec021e7bf2452dd19debc27687466e9/396_0_3333_2667/master/3333.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4) ### BusinessFair Work Agency’s priorities criticised days before its launch 3h ago - ![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/d6d7d5e6bff0a5e7aa36a2c4bca93ee2013fb7d2/137_0_3366_2693/master/3366.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4) ### UK newsMan arrested at court while attending hearing of Jewish ambulance arson suspects 13h ago - ![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/9496c19f33d8f7db258441f1a188b223b238ce25/253_0_1196_956/master/1196.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4) ### Ukraine war briefingSlovakia PM calls on EU to lift sanctions on Russian oil and gas 8h ago - ![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/d21f04315cd26ce4a7c74d15be25645f04ea2db7/4812_1055_2564_2052/master/2564.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4) ### BusinessFormer Co-op boss was paid almost £2m before leaving after group’s difficult year 31m ago - ![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/446de91cf7d5ffcee8047c2ab038ac745ba4e8ca/1376_0_6880_5504/master/6880.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4) ### Donald TrumpHalting \$400m White House ballroom project is national security risk, Trump officials say 14h ago - ![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/dfc8024a5bf218fca4886cd0cdc4e9392dfc723f/398_0_10496_8397/master/10496.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4) ### WaitroseSupermarket employee sacked after stopping shoplifter from taking Easter eggs 4h ago - ![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/639dcdf490be1c798e180dd798afcb8983f90d82/424_120_3460_2768/master/3460.jpg?width=220&dpr=1&s=none&crop=5%3A4) ### FA CupShea Charles stuns Arsenal to send Southampton into FA Cup semis 11h ago [469 469 comments](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/apr/04/southampton-arsenal-fa-cup-match-report#comments) ## Most viewed ## Most viewed - [Most viewed Across the Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/05/tabs-popular-0) - [Most viewed in Technology](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/05/tabs-popular-1) ### Most viewed Across the\ Guardian 1. [US rescues second crew member of downed F-15E fighter jet from Iran](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/04/iran-search-missing-us-crew-member-downed-fighter-jet-second-day) 2. [Waitrose employee sacked after stopping shoplifter from taking Easter eggs](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/apr/05/waitrose-employee-sacked-after-stopping-shoplifter-from-taking-easter-eggs) 3. [‘I was beaten and tortured’: how a British father and son made a fortune in Dubai then became wanted men](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/05/british-father-son-dubai-fortune-wanted-men-prison-beaten-tortured) 4. [LiveMiddle East crisis live: Iran says at least five people killed by US-Israeli attacks during US pilot rescue operation](https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/apr/05/middle-east-crisis-live-iran-israel-us-war-trump-strait-hormuz-missing-pilot-downed) 5. [Is the UK falling out of love with social media?](https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2026/apr/05/uk-social-media-apps-share) 6. [The moment I knew: he kissed me and it felt like I was standing on the edge of a whole new life](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/apr/04/the-moment-i-knew-he-kissed-me-and-it-felt-like-i-was-standing-on-the-edge-of-a-whole-new-life) 7. [Man arrested at court while attending hearing of Jewish ambulance arson suspects](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/apr/04/fourth-person-arrested-over-arson-attack-on-jewish-ambulances-in-london) 8. [Halting \$400m White House ballroom project is national security risk, Trump officials say](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/04/trump-white-house-ballroom-project) 9. [Parts of UK braced for heavy snow and gale-force winds as Storm Dave arrives](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/apr/04/uk-weather-storm-dave-travel-easter-england-scotland-wales) 10. [‘Nobody would forgive me if I told the truth’: new film about pacifist turned Nazi collaborator divides France](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/apr/05/les-rayons-et-les-ombres-rays-and-shadows-xavier-giannoli-jean-dujardin) ### Most viewed in Technology 1. [An AI bot invited me to its party in Manchester. It was a pretty good night](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/05/ai-bot-party-manchester-gaskell) 2. [MacBook Neo review: the budget Apple laptop powered by an iPhone chip](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/31/macbook-neo-review-budget-apple-laptop-iphone-chip) 3. [I wore Meta’s smartglasses for a month – and it left me feeling like a creep](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/01/i-wore-metas-smartglasses-for-a-month-and-it-left-me-feeling-like-a-creep) 4. [The Voorhees law of traffic: when overtaken slow cars seem to always catch up at a red light](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/01/traffic-overtaking-slow-cars-catch-up-red-light-driving-research) 5. [UK’s leading AI research institute told to make ‘significant’ changes](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/03/uk-alan-turing-institute-ai-research-underperforming-ukri) 6. [UK parents: what do you think about the government’s advice on screen time for children under five?](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/31/uk-parents-what-do-you-think-about-the-governments-advice-on-screen-time-for-children-under-five) 7. [The jobs AI can’t do – and the young adults doing them](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/31/jobs-ai-cant-do-young-adults) 8. [Landmark losses for Meta and YouTube as big tech misses the point](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/31/meta-youtube-social-media-court-cases) 9. [Claude’s code: Anthropic leaks source code for AI software engineering tool](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/01/anthropic-claudes-code-leaks-ai) 10. [Pupils in England are losing their thinking skills because of AI, survey suggests](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/02/pupils-england-losing-thinking-skills-because-of-ai-survey) - [UK](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news) - [US politics](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/us-politics) - [World](https://www.theguardian.com/world) - [Climate crisis](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-crisis) - [Middle East](https://www.theguardian.com/world/middleeast) - [Ukraine](https://www.theguardian.com/world/ukraine) - [Football](https://www.theguardian.com/football) - [Newsletters](https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters) - [Business](https://www.theguardian.com/business) - [Environment](https://www.theguardian.com/environment) - [UK politics](https://www.theguardian.com/politics) - [Science](https://www.theguardian.com/science) - [Tech](https://www.theguardian.com/technology) - [Global development](https://www.theguardian.com/global-development) - [Obituaries](https://www.theguardian.com/obituaries) More - [News](https://www.theguardian.com/) - [Opinion](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree) - [Sport](https://www.theguardian.com/sport) - [Culture](https://www.theguardian.com/culture) - [Lifestyle](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle) Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning [Sign up for our email](https://www.theguardian.com/global/2022/sep/20/sign-up-for-the-first-edition-newsletter-our-free-news-email) - [About us](https://www.theguardian.com/about) - [Help](https://manage.theguardian.com/help-centre) - [Complaints & corrections](https://www.theguardian.com/info/complaints-and-corrections) - [Contact us](https://www.theguardian.com/help/contact-us) - [Tip us off](https://www.theguardian.com/tips) - [SecureDrop](https://www.theguardian.com/securedrop) - [Privacy policy](https://www.theguardian.com/info/privacy) - [Cookie policy](https://www.theguardian.com/info/cookies) - [Modern Slavery Act](https://uploads.guim.co.uk/2025/09/05/Modern_Slavery_Statement_2025.pdf) - [Tax strategy](https://uploads.guim.co.uk/2025/09/05/Tax_strategy_for_the_year_ended_31_March_2025.pdf) - [Terms & conditions](https://www.theguardian.com/help/terms-of-service) - [All topics](https://www.theguardian.com/index/subjects/a) - [All writers](https://www.theguardian.com/index/contributors) - [Newsletters](https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?INTCMP=DOTCOM_FOOTER_NEWSLETTER_UK) - [Digital newspaper archive](https://theguardian.newspapers.com/) - [Bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/theguardian.com) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/theguardian) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/guardian) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/theguardian) - [Threads](https://www.threads.com/@guardian) - [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@guardian) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGuardian) - [Advertise with us](https://advertising.theguardian.com/) - [Guardian Labs](https://www.theguardian.com/guardian-labs) - [Search jobs](https://jobs.theguardian.com/) - [Patrons](https://patrons.theguardian.com/?INTCMP=footer_patrons) - [Work with us](https://workwithus.theguardian.com/) - [Accessibility settings](https://www.theguardian.com/help/accessibility-help) Support the Guardian Available for everyone, funded by readers [Support us](https://support.theguardian.com/?INTCMP=footer_support&acquisitionData=%7B%22source%22:%22GUARDIAN_WEB%22,%22componentType%22:%22ACQUISITIONS_FOOTER%22,%22componentId%22:%22footer_support%22%7D) [Back to top](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/05/mark-zuckerberg-meta-trial#top) © 2026 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. (dcr)
Readable Markdown	Harms to children, such as sexual exploitation and detriments to mental health, are inevitable on Meta’s platforms, the company’s CEO [Mark Zuckerberg](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/mark-zuckerberg) and Instagram leader Adam Mosseri said in taped depositions played at a trial in New Mexico on Tuesday and Wednesday. “I just think if you’re serving billions of people, the unfortunate reality is that some very small percent of them are going to be criminals, and we should work as hard as we can to stop that activity from happening,” said Zuckerberg. “I don’t think that the standard for our platforms would be that you should assume that it will ever be perfect.” Meta’s apps, which include Facebook, [Instagram](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/instagram), and WhatsApp, are among the most popular in the world, each with 3 billion monthly active users. The trial has set the social media giant against New Mexico’s attorney general, who alleges that Meta’s platforms put profits and user engagement over child safety. Raul Torrez has accused the company of knowingly enabling predators to use Facebook and Instagram to exploit children. Meta disputes the allegations, citing changes it has introduced, including teen accounts with default protections that debuted in 2024. The trial, which began in early February, is expected to last about seven weeks. “We have strict, longstanding rules against child exploitation and have invested billions to fight it, both through proactive detection technology and safety features designed to prevent harm,” said a [Meta](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/meta) spokesperson. “We provide industry-leading transparency, regularly sharing data on how much violating content we remove and how much we miss. No system can ever be perfect, and we’ve never claimed to be” Jurors were shown recorded depositions of Zuckerberg and Mosseri filmed between March and July last year. The jury also heard that family members of Meta employees had experienced sexual solicitation on Instagram. Prosecutors also presented evidence that the company estimated in 2020 that 500,000 children were receiving sexually inappropriate communications on Instagram each day, including grooming, in which adults attempt to build relationships with minors for sexual purposes. In a statement, a Meta spokesperson said the technology the company used at the time was overly wide and cautious, and as such, interactions that were not inappropriate were included in the count. The company identified the “People you may know” algorithm – which recommends accounts for users to connect with – as a main driver of these interactions, with the tool used to discover victims in 79% of identified cases in 2018. At the time, about 30% of adults whose accounts were disabled for targeting children had returned to the platform and resumed that behavior, the court heard. Jurors heard that Zuckerberg authorized end-to-end encryption for Facebook Messenger in 2023 despite warnings from child safety groups Thorn and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that the move could pose risks to children. In a taped deposition played at trial, he said the privacy encryption affords users was a more pressing issue. Encryption prevents anyone other than the sender and intended recipient from viewing messages by converting text and images into unreadable ciphers that are decoded on receipt. The content is not stored on Meta’s servers. A company spokesperson added that Meta can still review and take action on encrypted messages if they are reported by a user. Child safety groups and law enforcement have warned that encrypting Messenger enables predators to share child sexual abuse imagery without detection. Earlier in the trial, a law enforcement officer testified that reports of child sexual abuse material from the platform decreased following encryption. “I think that end-to-end encryption messaging services are what people want,” said Zuckerberg in a taped deposition filmed in March 2025. “They really care about privacy.” [skip past newsletter promotion](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/05/mark-zuckerberg-meta-trial#EmailSignup-skip-link-14) after newsletter promotion Mosseri said in his deposition that the company has “developed technology that allows us to find accounts that have shown potentially suspicious behavior, for example, an adult account that might have been blocked by another young person, and to stop those accounts from interacting with young people’s accounts”. “We use a range of signals to identify adults who have shown potentially suspicious behavior and avoid recommending these accounts to teens through Facebook’s ‘People you may know’ and Instagram’s ‘Accounts you should follow’ features,” said a Meta spokesperson. “In 2025, we used these signals to identify more than 265 million Facebook accounts and more than 135 million Instagram accounts that had shown potentially suspicious behavior, and proactively prevent them from finding, following or interacting with teens.” An internal presentation discussed at trial stated that Instagram’s wellbeing safety team did not always prevent teen accounts from being recommended to potential violators and vice versa. A December 2022 internal audit showed Meta continued to recommend minor accounts to some adults. In September 2024, Meta introduced Teen Accounts, which automatically place users under 18 into stricter settings on Instagram, Facebook and Messenger, including making profiles private by default and limiting who can message them. Researchers have identified gaps in those protections, including exposure to harmful videos through hashtags or recommendations and instances in which safety features did not work as intended. “I certainly want to address any problem that’s even remotely as severe as something like sexual solicitation … Any negative action that happens offline, also to a certain degree, happens online,” said Mosseri. “We’re connecting billions of people. That is going to mean good and bad things happen.”
Shard	99 (laksa)
Root Hash	4161074618625082499
Unparsed URL	com,theguardian!www,/technology/2026/mar/05/mark-zuckerberg-meta-trial s443