Meta ordered to pay $375 million in New Mexico trial over child exploitation, user safety claims A New Mexico jury ruled Tuesday that Meta Platforms violated state law in a lawsuit brought by the state attorney general, who accused the company of misleading users about the safety of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp and enabling child sexual exploitation on its platforms. The jury ordered Meta to pay $375 million in civil penalties, marking the first jury verdict in these claims against the social media company. Meta’s spokesperson stated the company would appeal the decision, calling the verdict “disrespectful” and emphasizing its efforts to keep users safe. The attorney general’s office did not immediately comment. The case, which spanned six weeks, centers on allegations that Meta allowed predators to access underage users and connect with victims, often leading to real-world abuse and human trafficking. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, a Democrat, argued that Meta’s platforms provided unfettered access to underage users, enabling predators to exploit them. The state claims Meta concealed the extent of harmful content hosted on its platforms, despite internal documents acknowledging issues with sexual exploitation and mental health risks. The lawsuit sought monetary damages and an order requiring Meta to improve child safety measures. The case originated from an undercover operation conducted by Torrez’s office in 2023. Investigators created fake accounts on Facebook and Instagram, posing as users under 14, and received sexually explicit material while being contacted by adults seeking similar content. This led to criminal charges against multiple individuals.#meta_platforms #new_mexico #ral_torrez #first_amendment #section_230
