Meta’s panic about ‘groomers’ targeting minors on Instagram surfaces at FTC antitrust trial

Meta Knew Instagram Was Steering Minors Towards Online Predators

Recently surfaced documents from the FTC’s antitrust trial revealed that Meta, formerly known as Facebook, was aware that Instagram was directing underage users towards harmful content and online predators. The documents included internal emails between Mark Zuckerberg, Kevin Systrom, and other top Meta executives, as well as internal reports. One particularly alarming report from June 2019 titled “Inappropriate Interactions with Children on Instagram” highlighted that nearly 2 million accounts operated by minors had been recommended to “groomers” within a three-month period.

The report indicated that 27% of all follow recommendations to groomers were minors, with 22% of those recommendations resulting in a follow request. Despite concerns raised by Systrom and others about the safety of young users, requests for more resources to address these issues were reportedly denied by Zuckerberg, who viewed Instagram’s success as a threat to Facebook.

Meta’s response to the 2019 internal report emphasized the company’s efforts to improve child safety on Instagram, including refining signals to detect inappropriate accounts and prevent interactions with minors. However, concerns about inappropriate content on the platform have been ongoing since Facebook acquired Instagram in 2012.

The FTC has accused Meta of neglecting Instagram’s safety measures and stifling its growth by withholding resources. Critics argue that Meta’s social media monopoly has allowed it to overlook safety concerns and prioritize its own interests over user protection.

Despite the revelations from the internal documents, the outcome of the antitrust trial remains uncertain. Meta has defended its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp as beneficial for their growth, while the FTC seeks to unwind these acquisitions to address Meta’s monopoly over social media.

Regardless of the trial’s outcome, Meta may face further scrutiny on Capitol Hill due to the newly surfaced documents shedding light on its internal response to safety issues. The case is expected to conclude soon, with the judge potentially deciding on remedies to address Meta’s monopoly if the FTC’s arguments prevail.