Meta is facing criticism after images emerged showing Instagram employees’ hats emblazoned with the phrase “a/c priv,” shorthand for “attorney-client privilege.” The merchandise was linked to the company’s internal efforts around its 2024 launch of Instagram’s Teen Accounts, known internally as “Project Nido,” aimed at addressing concerns about youth safety on the platform.
The hats, which appeared in court documents filed in a California federal district court, have drawn sharp rebuke from critics who say the apparel makes light of serious legal issues related to Meta’s handling of evidence amid lawsuits alleging the company contributed to a nationwide mental health crisis among teenagers. The school districts involved in the litigation contend that Instagram’s design and promotion of features for teens exacerbated issues including eating disorders, depression, and suicide.
Court filings reveal that Instagram’s legal team reviewed and approved the “Nido Swag,” including the “a/c priv” hats, ahead of their production. An internal message dated September 9, 2024, shows a Meta employee notifying Naomi Gleit, Instagram’s head of product, that legal had signed off on the merchandise. Plaintiffs’ attorneys argue this approval signals a disregard within Meta for the gravity of the ongoing litigation and the practice of shielding damaging internal documents under attorney-client privilege.
“Perhaps nothing better illustrates the culture of privilege abuse at Meta than the swag purchased by members of the Teen Accounts team,” plaintiffs’ lawyers stated in court documents, emphasizing the perceived insensitivity and ethical concerns.
Meta, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, has not commented on the matter, and it remains unclear whether the hats were ever distributed to employees beyond the promotional material shown in court.
Fairplay, an online safety advocacy group, condemned the hats and the culture they represent. Ashwin Verghese, communications director at Fairplay, described the gesture as “utterly sick” and expressed dismay that Meta employees would joke about issues tied to children’s safety online. “There is nothing funny about the damage Meta has done to kids’ lives,” Verghese said.
The emergence of the caps compounds ongoing scrutiny of Meta’s handling of youth safety and its transparency in litigation. The company continues to face lawsuits alleging that it ignored internal research demonstrating the harmful effects of Instagram on teenagers’ mental health while publicly downplaying those risks. The “Project Nido” initiative was initially promoted as a step toward safer online environments for younger users but now faces skepticism amid the revelations surrounding this internal controversy.