New Mexico Jury Orders Meta to Pay $375 Million Fine for Endangering Minors on Social Media Platforms
A New Mexico jury has ordered Meta to pay a $375 million fine for not disclosing the risks of its social media platforms on minors. The state's Department of Justice led the litigation against Mark Zuckerberg's company, which began in 2023. The civil trial focused on New Mexico's claims that Meta violated consumer protection laws and misled parents about the safety of platforms like Facebook and Instagram. The jury found Meta knowingly violated the Unfair Practices Act, resulting in the significant fine.
The law allows for civil penalties of up to $5,000 per willful violation, but Meta was fined $375 million due to the numerous violations. This amount is lower than the $2 billion in damages requested by New Mexico's attorney general. The jury's decision was celebrated by Attorney General Raul Torrez as a victory for children and families affected by Meta's prioritization of profits over safety.
New Mexico is the first state to win a case against Meta regarding child exploitation practices. Meta plans to appeal the verdict, stating that they work diligently to ensure platform safety and address challenges in identifying and removing harmful content. The company remains confident in its efforts to protect teenagers online.
The next phase of the legal proceedings will involve a bench trial starting on May 4, where the state will seek additional damages and changes to Meta's platforms and operations. These changes may include implementing an age-verification policy and removing child predators from Meta's platforms. Attorney General Torrez aims to secure stronger protections for children through court-mandated alterations to Meta's practices.
The judge will decide if Meta created a public nuisance and whether the company should fund programs to mitigate alleged harms against children. The outcome of the bench trial will determine the additional penalties and changes Meta must undertake to address the concerns raised in the case.