Meta ordered to pay $375m for misleading users on child safety

A New Mexico court has ordered Meta, owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, to pay $375 million for misleading users about the safety of its platforms for children.

A jury found that Meta endangered minors by exposing them to sexually explicit content and contact with predators, ruling the company violated New Mexico’s Unfair Practices Act.

New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez called the verdict “historic,” marking the first time a US state has successfully sued Meta over child safety issues, reports BBC.

Meta, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, said it disagrees with the verdict and plans to appeal, emphasizing ongoing efforts to protect teens online and remove harmful content.

During the seven-week trial, jurors reviewed internal documents and heard testimony from former employees, including whistleblower and ex-Meta engineer Arturo Béjar, who cited experiments showing underage users were targeted with sexualized content. Béjar testified that even his young daughter had been propositioned on Instagram.

State prosecutors highlighted Meta research indicating that, at one point, 16% of Instagram users reported exposure to unwanted nudity or sexual activity in a single week. The $375 million penalty was based on thousands of violations, with each carrying a maximum fine of $5,000.

Meta has implemented measures such as Teen Accounts and parental alerts for self-harm content, but legal challenges continue. The company faces additional lawsuits across the US, including claims in Los Angeles that platforms are intentionally designed to foster addiction among minors.

Torrez said, “Meta executives knew their products harmed children, disregarded warnings from employees, and misled the public. Today’s verdict joins families, educators, and child safety experts in saying enough is enough.”