Meta Fined $375M: Child Safety & Exploitation Lawsuits Explained
A New Mexico jury on Tuesday ordered Meta Platforms to pay $375 million in civil penalties after finding the company violated state consumer protection laws by failing to adequately safeguard children on its platforms, Facebook, and Instagram. The verdict marks a significant legal challenge for the social media giant and a win for state regulators seeking to hold tech companies accountable for harms to young users.
The lawsuit, filed by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez in 2023, alleged that Meta misled residents about the safety of its apps and allowed child predators access to underage users. The case centered on an undercover operation where a fake social media profile of a 13-year-old girl was “inundated with images and targeted solicitations” from individuals seeking to exploit children, according to CNBC reporting on Torrez’s previous statements.
Jurors deliberated for a day before determining that Meta willfully violated the state’s unfair practices act. Linda Singer, an attorney representing New Mexico, had urged the jury to impose a civil penalty against Meta that could exceed $2 billion during closing statements, according to court documents cited by CNBC.
Meta spokesperson stated the company “respectfully disagree[s] with the verdict and will appeal.” The spokesperson also affirmed Meta’s commitment to platform safety, acknowledging the “challenges of identifying and removing disappointing actors or harmful content.”
The six-week trial presented evidence of Meta’s alleged failures to protect young users from exploitation. New Mexico Attorney General Torrez accused the company of enabling predators to connect with victims, potentially leading to real-world abuse and human trafficking, as reported by CNN. Meta countered that it has “extensive safeguards in place” to protect younger users.
This verdict represents one of the first major legal losses for Meta concerning child safety. The company has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years, spurred by whistleblower testimony in 2021 alleging that Meta was aware of the potential harm its products could cause to young people but did not take sufficient action. The New Mexico case is the first jury verdict on these claims against the social media company, as it faces a broader challenge over the impact of its platforms on youth mental health, according to NBC News.
The jury’s decision comes as other jurisdictions are also examining the potential harms of social media on children and teenagers. The outcome of Meta’s appeal remains to be seen, but the New Mexico verdict sets a precedent for future legal challenges against the company and other social media platforms.