Durbin Statement On California Jury Ruling Against Meta, YouTube In Landmark Trial

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after a jury in Los Angeles, California found Meta and YouTube negligent in a benchmark social media addiction trial:
“These back-to-back decisions in New Mexico and California show that Big Tech has become Big Tobacco. Now, it’s time for Congress to sunsetSection 230once and for all.”
Durbin has used his role on the Senate Judiciary Committee to prioritize child safety online through hearings, legislation, and oversight efforts.
On January 31, 2024, while Durbin was serving as Chair, the Committee held ahearingfeaturing testimony from the CEOs of social media companies Discord, Meta, Snap, TikTok, and X (formerly known as Twitter). This hearing highlighted the ongoing risk to children and the immediate need for Congress to act on the bipartisan bills reported by the Committee.
Durbin and U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) joined forces toreintroducethe bipartisanSTOP CSAM Act, which would combat online child sexual abuse material. The billpassedthe Judiciary Committee unanimously andawaitsaction on the Senate floor.
In addition, Durbin’s bipartisanDisrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act of 2024(DEFIANCE Act)passedthe Senate in July 2024 andagainin January 2026. The legislation would hold accountable those responsible for the proliferation of nonconsensual, sexually-explicit “deepfake” images and videos. The bill awaits consideration by the House.
Durbin alsointroducedtheSunset Section 230 Actwith U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), which would repeal Section 230 two years after the date of enactment so that those harmed online can bring legal action against companies. The bill awaits consideration by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.
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