Meta Ordered to Pay $375 Million in New Mexico Child Safety Case
A jury in New Mexico has decided that Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, must pay $375 million in damages. The ruling stems from the company’s failure to adequately protect children from predators using its platform.
This ruling was reached after a civil trial in Santa Fe, where arguments began last month. It marks a significant setback for Meta. The jury deliberated for a day before concluding that the company had purposely violated the state’s tort law.
The lawsuit was initiated by New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torres, who conducted an undercover investigation in 2023. This investigation involved creating a fake social media profile for a 13-year-old girl, which quickly drew inappropriate content and solicitations from potential abusers.
The case focused on claims that Meta misled users about the safety of its platform and violated the state’s consumer protection law. During her closing remarks, attorney Linda Singer argued for civil penalties that could surpass $2 billion, but the jury ultimately decided on the $375 million amount based on the violations identified.
A spokesperson for Meta responded to the judgment, stating, “We respectfully disagree with this judgment and intend to appeal. We work diligently to keep people safe on our platform, and we recognize the challenge of identifying and removing harmful content.” They expressed confidence in their efforts to protect teens online.
Attorney General Torres celebrated the jury’s verdict as a major victory. He remarked, “This is a historic victory for all the children and families who have faced the consequences of Meta’s decision to prioritize profit over safety.” He criticized Meta’s executives for being aware of the harm their products could cause yet choosing to ignore it.
The legal proceedings aren’t finished yet, as a second phase of the trial is set to begin on May 4. This part will take place without a jury, and the judge will determine if Meta caused a public nuisance. Additionally, there’s talk of whether the company should help fund public programs aimed at addressing the harm caused. New Mexico’s legal team is also pushing for Meta to adopt stricter measures, such as an effective age verification system to protect minors.
Evidence during the trial included internal communications from Meta discussing concerns related to CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s decision to make end-to-end encryption default in Facebook Messenger. Prosecutors highlighted worries that this encryption might hinder the company’s ability to report instances of child sexual abuse material to law enforcement.
In a parallel development, New Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office has filed a similar lawsuit against Snap in 2024, which is currently in the discovery phase. Torres mentioned that his legal team has effectively navigated Section 230 claims in both cases, aiming to shift focus from user-generated content to the design of the apps themselves.
Recent reports indicated that California’s significant social media addiction case is still under jury deliberation as they struggle to reach a consensus.
