Ex-Meta Engineer Alleges Instagram Had ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Policy for Underage Users

Nashville, TN, August 21, 2026 —

A former engineer for Meta Platforms Inc. has alleged in a federal trial that the company implemented a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy concerning the age of users on its photo-sharing application, Instagram, particularly regarding those under 13 years old.

The testimony was delivered in Oakland, California, as part of a significant federal trial. This trial includes several states, such as California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, as plaintiffs. The core accusations leveled against Meta, the parent company of Instagram, center on the company’s alleged prioritization of financial gain over the safety of young users. States argue that Meta’s practices have contributed to the escalating youth mental health crisis.

Prosecutors contend that Meta designed features intended to be addictive and knowingly permitted underage individuals to access its platforms. The former engineer’s testimony is a key element in the prosecution’s case, providing an insider’s perspective on the company’s internal policies and practices related to user age verification and platform design.

The trial aims to determine whether Meta’s business practices have indeed harmed young users and exacerbated mental health issues. The “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, as described by the witness, suggests a deliberate approach by the company to avoid confronting or actively preventing the use of its platform by children under the legally permissible age. This contrasts with typical age verification procedures that aim to exclude underage users.

The lawsuit involves allegations that Meta was aware of the potential negative impacts of its platform on adolescent mental health, including increased rates of anxiety, depression, and body image issues, yet continued to operate in a manner that allegedly incentivized prolonged use and engagement. The design of features such as infinite scrolling, notifications, and personalized content feeds are often cited in such cases as mechanisms that contribute to addictive usage patterns among young people.

The involvement of multiple states underscores the widespread concern among governmental bodies regarding the impact of social media on youth. The outcome of this trial could set significant precedents for how social media companies are regulated and held accountable for the well-being of their younger users.

Further details regarding the specifics of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, including its timeline and the scope of its implementation, were part of the testimony. The states are seeking to hold Meta responsible for damages related to the alleged negative effects on young people’s mental health and well-being.

Story summarized from the original created by Barbara Ortutay, AP on www.newschannel5.com, see more information here.

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