Meta removes legal ads seeking plaintiffs in social media harm cases

Meta has begun removing ads from Facebook and Instagram that were designed to recruit plaintiffs for ongoing litigation related to social media addiction, according to Axios and additional reporting.

The removed ads were placed by U.S. law firms seeking individuals who claim they experienced harm from social media use during adolescence. Several of these campaigns appeared across Meta’s broader ad network, including third-party placements. Axios reported that more than a dozen such ads were deactivated, including campaigns linked to major firms such as Morgan & Morgan and Sokolove Law.

The move follows increased legal activity against major technology platforms after recent court rulings in the United States. In late March, juries in separate cases found social media platforms liable for harms tied to youth mental health and platform design, awarding damages in the millions. These outcomes contributed to a surge in legal advertising aimed at identifying additional plaintiffs.

Meta said it is actively defending itself against thousands of lawsuits currently progressing through state and federal courts, many of which allege that platforms were intentionally designed to encourage addictive behavior among younger users. According to court records, more than 5,000 such cases are pending across jurisdictions in California alone, involving multiple companies including Alphabet Inc. and other social media operators.

In a statement cited by Axios and Reuters, a Meta spokesperson said the company is removing ads that attempt to recruit plaintiffs for litigation against the business. The company added that it would not allow legal advertisers to use its platforms while simultaneously alleging harm caused by those same services.

The decision appears to be grounded in Meta’s terms of service, which allow the company to restrict or remove content that could result in legal or regulatory risks. This provision has been cited as the basis for disabling the campaigns, rather than specific advertising policy violations.

The removal of these ads comes amid a broader increase in mass tort marketing. Data cited in reports indicates that television and radio advertising tied to social media litigation rose significantly following recent court verdicts, while digital channels, including social platforms, have also become a key avenue for law firms seeking claimants.