Senate Democrats are unveiling a bill to have the government refund about $175 billion in Trump-era tariff money after the Supreme Court ruled that President Donald Trump's emergency tariffs were illegal. The bill from Senators Ron Wyden, Ed Markey, and Jeanne Shaheen would order Customs and Border Protection to issue refunds within 180 days and pay interest. The bill prioritizes small businesses. It also urges big companies to pass refunds along to customers. The Supreme Court announced its 6–3 on Friday, but it gives little guidance on refunds. Trump says refunds could be tied up in courts for years.
For years, social media companies have disputed allegations that they harm children's mental health through the way they design their platforms, deliberately addicting kids and failing to protect them from sexual predators and dangerous content. Now, these tech giants are getting a chance to make their case in courtrooms around the country, including before a jury for the first time. Some of the biggest players from Meta to TikTok are facing federal and state trials that seek to hold them responsible for harming children's mental health
By KAITLYN HUAMANI and BARBARA ORTUTAY AP Technology Writers
The world's biggest social media companies face several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms. Opening statements for the first, in Los Angeles County Superior Court, began on Monday. Instagram parent company Meta and Google's YouTube will face claims that their platforms deliberately addict and harm children. TikTok and Snap, which were originally named in the lawsuit, settled for undisclosed sums. This case marks the first time the companies will argue their case before a jury, and the outcome could have profound effects on their businesses and how they will handle children using their platforms.
The search warrant FBI served at Fulton County elections office near Atlanta on Wednesday seeks records tied to the 2020 election, a county spokesperson said. Fulton spokeswoman Jessica Corbitt-Dominguez declined to comment further, saying the search was still underway. declined to comment further, saying the search was still underway. An FBI spokesperson confirmed the search but also declined to provide any additional information. The search comes as the FBI under the leadership of Director Kash Patel has moved quickly to pursue the political grievances of President Donald Trump, including by working with the Justice Department to investigate multiple perceived adversaries of the Republican commander-in-chief.
By KAITLYN HUAMANI and BARBARA ORTUTAY AP Technology Writers
TikTok has agreed to settle in a landmark social media addiction lawsuit just before the trial kicked off, the plaintiff's attorneys confirmed. The social video platform was one of three companies facing claims that their platforms deliberately addict and harm children, along with Meta's Instagram and Google's YouTube. Snapchat's parent company Snap Inc., settled the case last week for an undisclosed sum. Additional details of the settlement with TikTok were not disclosed. A lawyer for the plaintiff said in a statement Tuesday that TikTok remains a defendant in the other personal injury cases, and that the trial will proceed as scheduled against Meta and YouTube.
