Lawsuit

The National PTA is ending its partnership with Meta due to the social media company’s ongoing child safety legal battles. The PTA will not renew funding for its digital safety initiative with Meta in 2026. This decision comes as Meta faces lawsuits alleging it misled the public about app safety and failed to protect children from predators. Advocacy groups support the PTA’s move and urge them to review other “Big Tech” partnerships.

A Miami judge upheld a $243 million verdict against Tesla following a fatal 2019 Autopilot crash. The ruling denies Tesla’s bid to overturn the jury’s decision, which found the company partially liable for the deaths and injuries caused when a Model S using Enhanced Autopilot accelerated into an intersection. This setback occurs as Tesla pushes into the competitive autonomous vehicle market, facing challenges in establishing its robotaxi services.

West Virginia is suing Apple, alleging the tech giant has failed to prevent child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on its devices and iCloud. The lawsuit claims Apple prioritized privacy over child safety, unlike competitors using detection systems. Apple previously abandoned plans for CSAM detection due to privacy backlash but faces ongoing criticism for its efforts. The state seeks damages and mandated CSAM detection measures, while Apple maintains its commitment to child safety through existing features.

In a landmark rider safety trial, an Arizona jury has ordered Uber to pay $8.5 million to a plaintiff who alleged rape by a driver. This verdict, based on “apparent agency” theory, could impact thousands of similar lawsuits nationwide. Uber, which maintains drivers are independent contractors, plans to appeal. The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of safety protocols and corporate liability in the gig economy, with a significant number of sexual assault reports previously noted on the platform.

OpenAI is preparing for a trial against Elon Musk in April, anticipating “outlandish, attention-grabbing claims” from the tech mogul. Musk, a co-founder, sued OpenAI in 2024, alleging deception regarding its shift to a for-profit model and partnership with Microsoft. OpenAI, valued at $500 billion, is confident in its defense and believes Musk’s claims are baseless, asserting the case is worth no more than his initial donation. A judge has ruled the case will proceed to trial, with OpenAI expecting tactics previously deployed by Musk.

Palantir is accused of using a lawsuit against Percepta AI not for intellectual property theft, but as a tactic to stifle competition and retain talent in the AI sector. Percepta argues Palantir’s suit aims to destroy it before it grows and that its restrictive post-employment agreements are unenforceable. Palantir claims former employees stole confidential data to create a rival. Percepta denies using proprietary materials, stating evidence was gathered in good faith and is now outdated. This case reflects the intense AI talent and market share competition.

A U.S. judge has allowed Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI to proceed to trial. Musk alleges OpenAI has abandoned its non-profit mission for profit, citing its partnership with Microsoft as evidence of deception. OpenAI denies these claims, calling the suit baseless. This legal battle could set precedents for AI development and corporate governance in the tech sector.

TSMC is suing a former senior VP, Wei-Jen Lo, alleging he leaked confidential information to Intel after joining them in July. TSMC claims Lo violated his contract and potentially the Trade Secrets Act. Concerns arise over the potential compromise of strategic proprietary data. Taiwan’s High Prosecutors Office is also investigating. TSMC’s stock fell by over 3%, while Intel’s dipped 1.5%. Intel’s CEO denies any misconduct, but the lawsuit highlights the competitive intensity and IP risks within the semiconductor industry.

Figure AI, a humanoid robot developer valued at $3.9 billion, is facing a lawsuit from its former head of product safety. The engineer alleges wrongful termination after warning executives about the potential for their robots to cause serious harm, including fracturing a human skull. He claims his safety concerns were ignored and a safety roadmap presented to investors was altered after funding was secured, potentially constituting fraud. The lawsuit seeks economic, compensatory, and punitive damages. The humanoid robot market is projected to reach $5 trillion by 2050.

Joby Aviation has sued rival Archer Aviation, alleging corporate espionage involving a former Joby employee, George Kivork. Joby claims Kivork stole sensitive files before joining Archer, who then used the information to sway a Joby partner. Archer denies the allegations, calling the lawsuit “baseless.” A hearing is scheduled for March 20, 2026. The lawsuit arrives as both companies pursue FAA certification in the competitive eVTOL industry. The outcome could significantly impact intellectual property rights and development timelines.