California Attorney General Rob Bonta has become the face of the state’s aggressive legal push against the nation’s biggest technology and entertainment companies. Over the past year his office has filed or joined dozens of lawsuits that aim to protect Californians – especially children and families – from what officials say are harmful corporate practices.
Meta settlement and broader social‑media reforms
Last month Bonta helped secure an $18 billion settlement with Meta, joining a coalition of state attorneys general that accused the company’s platforms of damaging young people’s mental health. While Meta did not admit wrongdoing, the agreement includes sweeping changes to teen‑safety features and requires the company to provide parents with clearer information about how to protect their children.
Bonta warned that the settlement is only a first step. He told CNN that unless TikTok and Google’s YouTube adopt comparable safety updates, a coalition of states will bring similar actions against them. The settlement also includes a novel provision that could see Meta paying only 70 % of the amount unless its rivals follow suit, a move some analysts describe as a strategic lever to level the playing field.
Hollywood merger challenge
In addition to tech, Bonta’s office is leading a 12‑state antitrust case to block Paramount’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The merger would combine two of the nation’s largest content creators and could reshape the television and news landscape, including the parent company of CNN.
California’s size and its status as a hub for both Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery give the state a unique standing in the case. Bonta argues the deal would reduce competition, hurt consumers and threaten jobs in the state’s entertainment sector. Paramount executives contend the merger would be pro‑competitive, but the lawsuit has already frozen the transaction and prompted the studio to consider relocating out of California.
Other enforcement actions
Bonta’s office continues to pursue a broad portfolio of issues. Recent actions include lawsuits targeting six major tech firms on antitrust grounds, an investigation into Elon Musk’s xAI over alleged creation of non‑consensual explicit images, and support for legislation that would regulate AI companion chatbots for child safety.
Beyond technology, the attorney general’s office has taken steps on human‑trafficking arrests, public‑land protection, and challenges to federal rules that restrict mail‑in voting. In a statement Bonta emphasized the department’s role in safeguarding “public safety, the environment, reproductive care, housing, and antitrust” for Californians.
Political backdrop
With the 2026 election looming, Bonta’s high‑profile litigation has drawn both praise and criticism. Supporters view his actions as a necessary counterweight to a federal administration they say has been lax on civil‑rights and consumer‑protection enforcement. Critics argue the lawsuits are politically motivated and could stifle business growth.
Regardless of the debate, Bonta’s record – from bail‑reform work in the state assembly to his current statewide initiatives – reflects a consistent focus on protecting families, upholding constitutional rights and ensuring that powerful corporations are held accountable.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
