A court in New Mexico has ordered Meta to pay $375 million (£279 million) for misleading users about the safety of its platforms for children. A jury determined that Meta, which oversees Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, was liable for its platforms exposing children to sexual predators and explicit material. New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez characterized this ruling as 'historic', marking the first successful state lawsuit against Meta regarding child safety.
A Meta spokesperson, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, expressed their disagreement with the verdict and stated plans to appeal. The company claimed it prioritizes user safety but faced scrutiny during a seven-week trial where internal documents and testimonies revealed a knowledge of risks posed by its platforms to children.
Arturo Béjar, a former Meta engineering leader, disclosed that experiments showed underage users were being served inappropriate content, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these vulnerabilities. Furthermore, state prosecutors presented evidence showing 16% of Instagram users reported exposure to unwanted sexual content within a week.
The jury's decision to impose a $375 million penalty reflects thousands of violations of New Mexico's Unfair Practices Act, each carrying a $5,000 maximum penalty.
As calls for accountability increase, Meta's ongoing efforts to enhance the safety of its platforms, including the introduction of Teen Accounts and parental control features, remain under the spotlight. Meanwhile, similar lawsuits against Meta and other tech companies continue to emerge across the U.S.
A Meta spokesperson, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, expressed their disagreement with the verdict and stated plans to appeal. The company claimed it prioritizes user safety but faced scrutiny during a seven-week trial where internal documents and testimonies revealed a knowledge of risks posed by its platforms to children.
Arturo Béjar, a former Meta engineering leader, disclosed that experiments showed underage users were being served inappropriate content, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these vulnerabilities. Furthermore, state prosecutors presented evidence showing 16% of Instagram users reported exposure to unwanted sexual content within a week.
The jury's decision to impose a $375 million penalty reflects thousands of violations of New Mexico's Unfair Practices Act, each carrying a $5,000 maximum penalty.
As calls for accountability increase, Meta's ongoing efforts to enhance the safety of its platforms, including the introduction of Teen Accounts and parental control features, remain under the spotlight. Meanwhile, similar lawsuits against Meta and other tech companies continue to emerge across the U.S.
