Welcome back to Market on Close. I'm Barley Kaden in Chicago alongside Sam Bodis at the New York Stock Exchange. We'll close out our show with some final thoughts on the session today.One not talked too much about but could be very important. Meta facing a major legal test this week, opening arguments beginning in its landmark trial in New Mexico. State prosecutors alleging the social media giant failed to protect children from sexual exploitation and harmful content on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, pr ...

Core Viewpoint - Meta is facing a high-profile trial initiated by the state of New Mexico, alleging that the company failed to protect child users on its platforms from online predators and harmful content [1][2]. Group 1: Legal Challenges - The lawsuit claims that Meta directed users, including children, towards sexually explicit and exploitative materials, facilitating human trafficking within New Mexico [2]. - This trial is part of a series of significant legal cases against Meta in 2025, which could have substantial implications for the company and the social media industry as a whole [3]. - The allegations against Meta are compared to lawsuits against "Big Tobacco" in the 1990s, highlighting concerns over the potential harm of social media products [3]. Group 2: Related Trials and Developments - A separate trial in Los Angeles involves allegations against Meta, YouTube, TikTok, and Snap for failing to disclose the safety of their apps, with TikTok and Snap settling before the trial [4]. - Opening statements in the Los Angeles trial were delayed due to the illness of a lead attorney, with Meta's Instagram head and CEO scheduled to testify [5]. - Another upcoming trial in Northern California will address claims that Meta and other companies created defective apps leading to unhealthy behaviors in teens and children [7]. Group 3: Meta's Response - Meta has denied the allegations from New Mexico, asserting its commitment to supporting young users [6]. - The company argues that content shared on its platforms is protected under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, despite the lawsuits suggesting that app designs endanger young users [6].

Core Viewpoint - A top Meta researcher has warned that there could be as many as 500,000 cases of online sexual exploitation per day on Facebook and Instagram, highlighting significant safety concerns regarding the platforms' impact on children and teenagers [1][3]. Group 1: Legal Proceedings and Allegations - New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez has initiated a case against Meta, accusing the company of exposing children to sexual exploitation and mental health risks through inappropriate messages and human trafficking [2]. - The lawsuit claims that the consequences of Meta's actions have contributed to a teen social media crisis, resulting in increased anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicides among young users [2]. - Internal communications from Meta indicate that the company was aware of the scale of the problem, with one researcher estimating that around 500,000 victims were targeted daily in English-speaking markets [3][4]. Group 2: Internal Insights and Concerns - Malia Andrus, a former Meta employee focused on child safety, expressed concerns in an internal email about the effectiveness of age-verification tools, stating they were easily circumvented [11][14]. - Andrus also highlighted the unprecedented scale at which predators could target children on Meta's platforms, emphasizing the potential ramifications of such interactions [4]. - The lawsuit has revealed disturbing details, including test accounts being bombarded with explicit content and solicitations from alleged predators [10]. Group 3: Meta's Response and Ongoing Challenges - Meta has publicly defended its efforts to protect children, claiming that the internal discussions cited in the lawsuit were part of an ongoing commitment to child safety [12][20]. - The company faces multiple legal challenges this year, including a trial in California regarding social media addiction among young users and an antitrust lawsuit from the FTC [5]. - Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been criticized for allowing minors to use AI chatbots despite warnings from safety staff about potential misuse [19].

IT之家 2 月 9 日消息，据彭博社报道，捷克总理安德烈 · 巴比什表示，他支持禁止 15 岁以下儿童使用社交媒体，并以法国为例，该国近期已出台措施，对 未成年人用户施加使用限制。 "我认识的专家都说，这对儿童危害极大，极其有害。"巴比什周日在社交平台 X 上发布的一段视频中表 示，"我们必须保护我们的孩子。" 他并未透露政府计划采取哪些具体措施，也未说明实施时间。 若捷克共和国推进相关政策，将加入越来越多对未成年人使用社交媒体设限的欧洲国家行列。此举将限制或 切断数百万年轻用户与这些平台的联系，监管机构认为这些平台有害且易成瘾，同时也会削弱平台由此产生 的广告收入。 IT之家 2 月 9 日消息，据彭博社报道，捷克总理安德烈 · 巴比什表示，他支持禁止 15 岁以下儿童使用社交媒体，并以法国为例，该国近期已出台措施，对 未成年人用户施加使用限制。 "我认识的专家都说，这对儿童危害极大，极其有害。"巴比什周日在社交平台 X 上发布的一段视频中表示，"我们必须保护我们的孩子。" 他并未透露政府计划采取哪些具体措施，也未说明实施时间。 若捷克共和国推进相关政策，将加入越来越多对未成年人使用社交媒体设限的欧洲国家 ...

Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) is one of the 13 Best Extremely Profitable Stocks to Invest in Now. Meta Platforms (META) Child Safety Lawsuit Proceeds as AI Data Center Deal Advances Reuters reported on January 30, 2026, that Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) is preparing to go to trial in New Mexico for allegedly exposing kids and teens to sexual exploitation on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. The lawsuit has been filed by General Raúl Torrez, who claims that Meta turned a blind eye toward preda ...

Core Insights - Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) is facing a lawsuit in New Mexico for allegedly exposing minors to sexual exploitation on its platforms, including WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook [2][3] - The company has denied the allegations and plans to appeal a previous verdict that awarded $425 million in damages [3] - Despite these legal challenges, Meta is advancing its strategic initiatives, including a multi-year partnership with Corning valued at up to $6 billion to enhance AI data center infrastructure in the U.S. [4] Legal Challenges - The lawsuit was filed by General Raúl Torrez, claiming that Meta ignored the risks posed by predators to minors, leading to physical and mental health issues [3] - Jury selection for the trial is scheduled, with the trial expected to last approximately seven to eight weeks [3] Strategic Initiatives - Meta announced a significant partnership with Corning to expand AI data center infrastructure, indicating a commitment to technological advancement [4] - Analyst sentiment remains positive, with KeyBanc raising its price target for Meta from $835 to $855, citing strong Q4 results and productivity gains from AI [5] Company Overview - Meta Platforms owns several major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, and is focused on developing AI-driven technologies [6]

2026年2月6日，因存在"成瘾性设计"（addictive design），欧盟委员会初步认定TikTok违反了《数字服 务法案》。对此，TikTok方面回应，相关调查结果完全错误且毫无依据。 欧盟委员会官网发布消息。 根据欧盟委员会官网消息，TikTok被指存在包括无限滚动、自动播放、推送通知，以及高度个性化的推 荐系统等成瘾性设计。欧盟委员会认为，TikTok未能充分评估这样的功能设计，是否会对用户（包括未 成年人和易脆弱成年人群体）的身心健康造成危害。 欧盟委员会在一份声明中进一步提到，TikTok的某些设计通过不断提供新内容作为"奖励"，以助长用户 持续滚动浏览的冲动，让用户大脑进入"自动导航模式"。科学研究表明，这种机制可能导致强迫性行 为，并降低用户的自我控制能力。此外，欧盟委员会评估认为，TikTok忽视了未成年人在夜间使用 TikTok 的时长、用户打开应用的频率以及其他潜在风险指标。 对于这类功能设计所引发的风险，欧盟委员会指出，TikTok似乎未能采取合理、适度且有效的应对措 施。比如，TikTok推出的屏幕时间管理工具和家长控制工具，容易被忽略或被关闭。同时，欧盟委员会 认为，由于这样 ...

ORCL is expected to grow its earnings at 35% in 2027 and 49% in 2028. After Morgan Stanley’s revelations, these estimates may be revised downward. Investors can take a wait-and-see approach and wait for those revisions, because the company’s core business is still strong, and it is an integral part of the U.S. government’s AI plans.While the stock falling more than 50% is bad, it does give a great entry point for new investors. The stock’s forward P/E of 25.82x is now 17% below its 5-year average. It is als ...

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for Meta, indicating a strong outlook for the company's stock performance relative to the benchmark index [11]. Core Insights - Meta's Q4 2025 performance exceeded expectations, with revenue reaching $59.9 billion, a 24% year-over-year increase, and GAAP EPS of $8.88, significantly surpassing market forecasts [2]. - The company has provided a strong revenue guidance for Q1 2026, estimating between $53.5 billion and $56.5 billion, alongside a substantial increase in capital expenditures for 2026, projected at $115 billion to $135 billion, primarily focused on AI capabilities and infrastructure [2][5]. - The Family of Apps segment generated $58.9 billion in revenue for Q4 2025, up 25% year-over-year, driven by a 24% increase in advertising revenue [2]. - Reality Labs reported $955 million in revenue for Q4 2025, a 12% decline year-over-year, with future investments shifting towards AI glasses and wearable devices [2]. Business Performance and User Metrics - In Q4 2025, the Family of Apps had over 3.5 billion daily active users, with Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp showing steady growth [3]. - Instagram Reels saw over a 30% increase in viewing time year-over-year, while Threads experienced a 20% increase in user engagement due to improved recommendation systems [3]. AI Integration and Business Impact - AI continues to enhance core business operations, with advertising and content recommendations entering a "model scaling" phase [4]. - The GEM advertising model and new sequence learning architecture contributed to a 3.5% increase in Facebook click-through rates and over 1% improvement in Instagram conversion rates in Q4 [4]. - Meta has integrated large language models (LLMs) into its recommendation systems, significantly improving content understanding and user interest [4]. Capital Expenditure and Profit Outlook - Meta has raised its capital expenditure guidance for 2026 to $115 billion to $135 billion, reflecting a significant year-over-year increase [5]. - Despite the rise in capital expenditures, the company expects absolute operating profits in 2026 to exceed those of 2025, supported by improved AI advertising efficiency and core business growth [5]. - The report expresses confidence in Meta's long-term growth potential driven by AI, with a clear path for revenue and profit enhancement [5].

Officials in India are publicly debating age restrictions for accessing social media, a potential fresh challenge to Big Tech in a massive market for users as global debate grows over online harms to children.Parliamentarian Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, whose party is aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s, plans to introduce a private member’s bill in the coming months barring children under 16 from maintaining social media accounts. The aim is to ensure data privacy and protect children and adolescen ...