A class action filed in the Federal Court by law firm MinterEllison on behalf of eight plaintiffs alleges that Meta's Facebook and Instagram exposed children to harmful content and kept them addicted through algorithmic feeds, in what is reported as the first Australian suit to blame social-media design for harming users rather than a data incident. The plaintiffs say they were harmed while under 18 and are seeking compensation; Meta said it will defend the claim vigorously. A suppression order issued on Monday bars publication of material that could identify the applicants or the statement of claim. The case arrives amid heightened Australian regulatory pressure on large platforms, including the world-first ban on social media for under-16s and proposed rules allowing users to switch off algorithm-driven feeds.

• Source article