Judge lets former Meta engineer testify in youth safety trial
A spoliation motion asks the court to sanction a party or witness for destroying evidence after a preservation duty attaches; denial leaves the witness available and the dispute for the advisory jury.
A spoliation motion asks the court to sanction a party or witness for destroying evidence after a preservation duty attaches; denial leaves the witness available and the dispute for the advisory jury.
On August 16 Chief Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers denied Meta's motion for spoliation sanctions seeking to preclude Arturo Béjar from testifying and permitted certain evidence in openings.
Why it matters: The advisory jury will hear liability elements on state consumer-protection and COPPA claims that could shape platform design rules and parental controls affecting every household with a teen.
Date to watch: August 18 2026 openings and start of evidence
Sources:
- Meta Motion for Spoliation Sanctions ECF 3347 (2026-08-07)
https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/65407433/3347/in-re-social-media-adolescent-addictionpersonal-injury-products-liability/ - Declaration of Ashley M. Simonsen ECF 3348 (2026-08-07)
https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/65407433/3348/in-re-social-media-adolescent-addictionpersonal-injury-products-liability/ - Los Angeles Times report on August 16 order (2026-08-16)
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-08-16/meta-youth-safety-trial-judge-rules-star-witness-evidence - N.D. Cal. official MDL case page (2026-08-16)
https://cand.uscourts.gov/cases-e-filing/cases/422-md-03047-ygr/re-social-media-adolescent-addictionpersonal-injury-products - CourtListener MDL docket 4:22-md-03047-YGR (2026-08-16)
https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/65407433/in-re-social-media-adolescent-addictionpersonal-injury-products-liability/
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