Silicon Valley’s 'Big Tobacco' Moment? Meta Found Guilty In Child Exploitation, Harm Cases
Plus: Savannah Guthrie's First Interview Since Mother Nancy's Disappearance
Good evening,
Sayonara, Sora! 👋 OpenAI announced Tuesday that it was “saying goodbye to the Sora app,” a totally AI-driven social media platform, just six months after launching.
MIXED LEGACY: OpenAI launched Sora in September following the success of short-form video features on TikTok and Instagram. The app allowed users to generate short videos of virtually anything they wanted using AI prompts.
That also led to issues, like the proliferation of nonconsensual images and realistic deepfakes in a sea of “AI slop.”
MONEY MOVES: Cost likely drove Sora’s shutdown. AI-generated video is also much more expensive to produce than AI-generated text. Consumer demand was also higher for OpenAI’s flagship product: ChatGPT.
Sora’s closure comes as OpenAI is working to streamline its operations into productivity and coding functions as it prepares for a public offering that could occur as early as this year. Plans include combining ChatGPT, Codex, and Atlas into a singular "super app."
Sora users are grieving the app the only way they know how… with nonsensical, AI-generated farewell videos.
Sam,
Associate Producer
🚨 ONE IMPORTANT THING
California Jury Finds Meta, YouTube Negligent In Landmark Case On Social Media Safety
A California jury ordered Meta and YouTube to pay a combined $6 million after finding the companies negligent for harming a young user’s mental health through addictive platform features. The landmark trial in Los Angeles is being called Silicon Valley’s “Big Tobacco moment.”
BY THE NUMBERS: Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, and YouTube were ordered to pay $3 million in compensatory damages for pain, suffering, and related financial losses, with Meta responsible for 70% and YouTube covering the rest. The jury also awarded an additional $2.1 million in punitive damages against Meta and $900,000 against YouTube.
It’s just a drop in the bucket for the companies, with YouTube generating more than $60 billion in revenue for 2025 and Meta $200 billion.
But, thousands of additional cases could follow, and those costs could add up quickly. Legal commentators call the LA case a “bellwether” trial: a case chosen from a large group of similar lawsuits meant to test how juries respond to the arguments and what damages might be awarded.
Spokespeople for Alphabet, which owns YouTube, and Meta said they “disagree” with the verdict and plan to appeal.
THE CASE
Jurors said design choices like infinite scroll and algorithm-driven recommendations contributed to anxiety and depression in the plaintiff, a now 20-year-old identified as “KGM.” Her lawyers argued the platforms were intentionally built to keep users hooked, comparing them to cigarettes or casinos.
On the other side, Meta argued there is no conclusive evidence linking social media use to mental health harm, saying in court that the plaintiffs’ challenges stemmed from family issues at home — not the apps. YouTube’s lawyers argued the platform is not a social media site and said its features were not designed to be addictive.
REWIND: Snapchat and TikTok were supposed to be part of this trial, but they reached their own settlements for undisclosed amounts with KGM before arguments.
The landmark decision could open the door to more lawsuits over users’ well-being, challenging protections social media companies have long relied on — including Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects them from liability for what their users post, and First Amendment defenses.
OTHER CASES AGAINST META
About 2,000 lawsuits are making their way through courts similar to the LA case, where parents and school districts are accusing social media companies of knowingly building addictive products that harm young users.
YESTERDAY: The verdict comes just one day after a New Mexico jury ordered Meta to pay $375 million after finding the company violated state law by misleading users about the safety of its platforms and allegedly “steered” young users to content that was sexually explicit. That lawsuit was brought by the state’s Attorney General Raúl Torrez — unlike the LA case, which was filed by an individual.
More than 40 state attorneys general have sued Meta, alleging it fuels a youth mental health crisis by designing addictive features.
🚨 ONE THING WE’RE FOLLOWING
Savannah Guthrie’s Emotional First Interview Since Mom Went Missing
Today show host Savannah Guthrie had her first televised interview since her mother Nancy’s disappearance nearly two months ago.
In a clip from the conversation, Guthrie said through tears: “Someone needs to do the right thing. We are in agony. We are in agony. It is unbearable.”
Guthrie sat down with her former Today co-host Hoda Kotb on Wednesday, for a conversation airing on Thursday and Friday.
“To think of what she went through. I wake up every night in the middle of the night, every night,” Guthrie said. “And in the darkness, I imagine her terror. And it is unthinkable, but those thoughts demand to be thought. And I will not hide my face. But she needs to come home now.”
SEARCH UPDATES
The search for Nancy is now in its eighth week. The 84-year-old was last seen on Jan. 31, after her family dropped her off at her home.
In a March 12 interview, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos revealed that investigators believe they know the motive behind the kidnapping.
"We believe we know why [the kidnapper] did this and we believe that it was targeted, but we’re not 100% sure of that,” he said. "I think day one, we had some strong beliefs about what happened, and those beliefs haven’t diminished.” No other details were shared.
The Guthrie family is offering a $1 million reward for information leading to Nancy’s recovery, while the FBI has a separate $100,000 reward.
⏳ THE SPEED READ
🚨NATION
American released by Taliban lands in U.S. after year in detention (MO NEWS)
Politicians battle over immigration policy after Loyola student’s death (NBC)
Bernie Sanders and AOC unveil data center moratorium bill (AXIOS)
Former Massachusetts teacher indicted on 3 counts of rape (WESTERN MASS NEWS)
Biden-era DOJ memo: Trump hoarded classified documents relevant to his businesses (POLITICO)
🇮🇷 IRAN WAR
Iran rejects U.S. ceasefire offer, demands sovereignty over Strait of Hormuz (MO NEWS)
Republicans propose bill to fund Iran war amid fight over DHS shutdown (GUARDIAN)
Iranian strikes pose ‘existential threat,’ Gulf states tell UN rights council (TIMES OF ISRAEL)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
Russia launches 1000-drone attack on Ukraine (MO NEWS)
UK police arrest 2 men over arson attack on ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity (AP)
Air Canada CEO summoned to Ottawa over English-only condolence video for LaGuardia crash (CBC)
UN votes to recognize slavery as ‘gravest crime against humanity’ (BBC)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
EPA expands higher-ethanol gasoline sales in bid to ease pump prices (AXIOS)
‘Fortnite’ creator Epic Games cuts 1,000 jobs (FOX)
Bond between dogs and humans dates back more than 15,000 years, study finds (GUARDIAN)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ trailer reveals new cast and surprise Christmas premiere date (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)
Composer of iconic ‘Lion King’ chant sues comedian over ‘Circle of Life’ translation (AP)
‘Bachelorette’ star Taylor Frankie Paul accused of third domestic violence incident by ex Dakota Mortensen (VARIETY)
Frank Thomas files suit against White Sox, Nike and Fanatics (ESPN)
ICYMI FROM THE 📲
In case you missed it… One late night host to rule them all. 🧙♂️💍 Comedian Stephen Colbert and his son, screenwriter Peter McGee, are writing a new Lord of the Rings movie together.
It will be Colbert’s first gig since CBS cancelled The Late Show last year. The final episode is in May.