^{EU, you're my only hope.}

https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/10/eu-threatens-meta-with-fines-over-addictive-features-on-facebook-and-instagram/

>only hope

Not so fast

Meta says US states are seeking $1.4 trillion in penalties in August youth safety trial
https://www.reuters.com/business/meta-says-us-states-are-seeking-14-trillion-penalties-august-youth-safety-trial-2026-07-07/

California school districts seek money, changes to social media apps in lawsuits
https://edsource.org/2026/social-media-mental-health-lawsuit/761927

It's shaping up like the suits against big tobacco (big success) and against big oil (no success) in that a state/local strategy is more likely in the US than a national approach

>likely

Debbie recalls Zuck jetting over to Mar-a-Lago and dining with Trump right after the election. She thinks Meta has a hall pass.

> hall pass

Yes, for going to the federal bathroom. But the state bathrooms may not care about that hall pass.

WH recently passed a law that roughly said states couldn't pass a law to the contrary. I forget what it was about.

> WH recently passed a law

WH can't pass laws. They can issue EOs and those can be challenged in federal court and potentially ignored in state court.

In addition, federal law can be challenged too. A ruling in a state court that defies a federal law can result in a case that goes to the Supreme Court who may or may not agree with Congress.

In the meantime, Meta is fighting fires on many fronts, though a judgement in favor in one state sets a precedent.

>WH can't pass laws

I know, but two letters make for easy typing.