Meta ordered to pay $375 million in New Mexico trial over child exploitation, user safety claims

The jury found that Meta violated New Mexico’s consumer protection law. Meta had denied the allegations, saying it has extensive safeguards in place to protect younger users.

A New Mexico jury on Tuesday found 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 of enabling child sexual exploitation on those platforms.

The jury found that Meta violated New Mexico’s consumer protection law and ordered the company to pay $375 million in civil penalties.

The jury’s decision capped a six-week trial and marked the first jury verdict on these claims against the social media company, as it faces a broader challenge over how its platforms affect young people’s mental health.