New Mexico Jury Finds Meta Violated Protection Law
Why this is here: The jury based its decision on an undercover investigation where agents posed as children on social media to document exploitation and Meta’s response, revealing direct evidence of platform vulnerabilities.
A New Mexico jury found Meta liable for harming children’s mental health and violating state consumer protection law Tuesday. The decision followed a seven-week trial where prosecutors argued Meta prioritized profits over child safety. Jurors agreed Meta made false statements and engaged in unfair trade practices, exploiting children’s vulnerabilities.
The jury determined Meta committed thousands of violations of the state’s Unfair Practices Act, potentially leading to a penalty of $375 million. Meta attorneys stated the company discloses risks and attempts to remove harmful content, but acknowledged some problematic material remains. Meta plans to appeal the verdict.
New Mexico’s case is one of many lawsuits against Meta regarding the impact of social media on children. A similar trial is underway in California, and over 40 state attorneys general have filed lawsuits alleging Meta contributes to a youth mental health crisis.