New York —  

Meta’s business relies on hooking young people and exploiting their data and attention, a lawyer for a group of state attorneys general argued in opening statements for the latest blockbuster trial against the social media giant on Tuesday.

The trial could be Meta’s most consequential legal fight yet over youth safety and addiction. If Meta loses the case, it could fundamentally change how the company’s social media platforms operate.

Both sides outlined their arguments to jurors in federal court in Oakland, including Meta’s claim that the states’ case is not supported by the evidence.