Meta Platforms, Inc. has been ordered to pay $375 million by a New Mexico court for misleading users regarding the safety of its platforms for children. The jury found Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, liable for endangering minors by exposing them to sexually explicit material and contact with sexual predators.
The ruling, issued after a six-week trial, marks the first time a U.S. state has successfully sued Meta over child safety issues. The civil penalty results from thousands of violations of New Mexico’s Unfair Practices Act, with each violation carrying a maximum penalty of $5,000. Meta intends to appeal the verdict, stating that it works diligently to ensure safety on its platforms.
