A former Meta engineer testifies that Instagram follows a “don’t ask, don’t tell” approach toward children under 13, rather than actively verifying or restricting their access. Speaking in a landmark court case, the former engineering director links this approach to how the platform handles age-related concerns.
The testimony is presented as part of broader allegations about child safety and platform practices. The outlets emphasize the same core claim: that Meta did not consistently ask for or collect reliable age information for minors in a way that would enable stronger safeguards, even though the company operates rules intended to limit access by underage users.
While both reports focus on the conduct described in court, they mainly differ in framing and placement—one highlights the congressional background of the witness and the other focuses on the court testimony itself. Neither source presents an alternative account of Instagram’s age-handling practices beyond this “don’t ask, don’t tell” characterization.
