A California state court judge denied motions by Meta Platforms and Google's YouTube seeking a new trial after a jury found them liable for designing social media platforms that are harmful to young people. The ruling upholds the previous verdict, which found the companies negligent and imposed $6 million in damages.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Carolyn Kuhl ruled on the motions on Tuesday, according to court documents. The order detailing her reasoning was not immediately available. The companies had sought a new trial following the jury's decision.

The case centers on allegations that Meta and Google's platforms were designed in ways that contribute to youth social media addiction. The jury's initial verdict held the companies accountable for negligence in their design practices.

The $6 million in damages awarded by the jury remains in effect following the judge's decision. The denial of the motions for a new trial marks a significant development in the ongoing legal scrutiny of social media companies' impact on young users.

Meta Platforms Inc. has partnered with Reliance Industries to develop its first AI-enabled data center in India, a 168 MW facility located in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Reliance will construct the facility, which Meta will lease upon completion, with the project expected to be delivered within two years. This strategic move aims to serve one of Meta's fastest-growing user communities by deploying world-class infrastructure closer to a key digital market, supporting the company's global AI computing requirements.

Reliance will provide end-to-end services for the data center, including design, construction, renewable power, network connectivity, and operational management. The facility will be powered by renewable energy and cooled using desalinated seawater. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated that the world-class facility in Jamnagar will help scale the company's AI infrastructure globally while deepening its long-term investment in India's economy.

The agreement marks Meta's first built-to-suit data center capacity in India and represents the latest expansion of a relationship that began with Meta's $5.7 billion investment in Jio Platforms in 2020. The companies also formed a joint venture in 2025 to develop AI platforms and enterprise tools using Meta's Llama models. Meta has been aggressively expanding its AI infrastructure footprint to compete with rivals like Microsoft, Alphabet, and Amazon in the race to develop advanced AI models and services.

In a separate development, Meta is partnering with two leading clean energy providers, CleanMax and Fourth Partner Energy, to contract nearly 1 GW of renewable energy. This initiative aligns with Meta's broader sustainability goals and supports the energy requirements of its expanding operations in India. The integration of AI-enabled infrastructure and renewable energy contracts highlights Meta's dual focus on technological advancement and environmental sustainability in India.

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