US Jury Orders Meta to Pay $375 Million Over Child Safety Failures
US Jury Orders Meta to Pay $375 Million Over Child Safety Failures
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A U.S. jury has ordered Meta to pay $375 million in civil penalties after finding the company failed to adequately protect children on its social media platforms, according to Reuters.
The verdict, delivered in New Mexico, concluded that Meta violated state consumer protection laws by misleading users about the safety of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, while allowing harmful content and contact involving minors.
The case stemmed from a 2023 investigation by state authorities, who created fake underage accounts and reported being exposed to explicit material and predatory interactions. Prosecutors argued that the company’s platform design and safety measures were insufficient to prevent such risks.
Jurors found that Meta committed thousands of violations under the state’s Unfair Practices Act, resulting in the $375 million penalty — one of the first major jury rulings holding a social media company legally accountable for child safety failures.
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez described the decision as a landmark victory for protecting children online, while indicating that further legal steps could seek additional reforms to platform safety.
Meta said it disagrees with the verdict and plans to appeal, stating it has invested significantly in tools and systems to combat harmful content and protect users.
The ruling comes amid growing global scrutiny of major technology companies over their impact on young users, including concerns about online exploitation, harmful content exposure, and platform accountability.
