Meta Loses First Court Case Over Child Safety
Why this is here: The jury found Meta liable on both claims brought by the state, marking the first verdict of its kind against the company regarding harm to young people.
A New Mexico jury ordered Meta to pay $375 million in civil penalties after finding the company misled consumers and endangered children. The verdict, reached after a six-week trial, found Meta liable under the state’s Unfair Practices Act. New Mexico’s attorney general called the decision a “watershed moment” for parental concerns regarding online safety.
The case originated from a 2023 undercover investigation. State investigators created fake accounts of children on Facebook and Instagram.
These accounts received sexually explicit content and solicitations. Evidence included internal Meta documents and testimony from former employees.
Arturo Béjar, a former Meta engineering leader, testified about warning executives. He said algorithms targeting ads could also connect predators with children.
Brian Boland, a former VP, stated safety wasn’t a priority for CEO Mark Zuckerberg or COO Sheryl Sandberg. Meta plans to appeal the ruling.