Meta Ordered to Pay $567 Million in Child Safety Case
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 6 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A New Mexico judge has ordered Meta to pay US$567 million after ruling that the company failed to protect children and thereby caused a public nuisance on its social media platforms . Prosecutors said Meta’s recommendation systems steered adults to content posted by teenage users, and that the company knew about those dangers but chose not to disclose them . A jury also found Meta violated the state’s Unfair Practices Act by misleading consumers about the safety of its products . Meta rejected the ruling, said it remains committed to user safety, and confirmed it will appeal .
Key Points
- The ruling was issued Thursday in New Mexico, where a judge found Meta liable for failing to protect children and ordered US$567 million in damages .
- Prosecutor Linda Singer said in closing arguments that Meta’s algorithms guided adults toward content uploaded by teenage users, heightening risks to minors .
- Prosecutors argued Meta had long known internally about these safety risks but concealed them instead of addressing them transparently .
- The jury concluded Meta violated New Mexico’s Unfair Practices Act by misleading consumers about the safety of its social media products .
- Meta faces thousands of lawsuits from state attorneys general, school districts, and individual plaintiffs alleging growth was prioritized over minors’ safety .
Why It Matters
The New Mexico case could become a significant legal benchmark because it is described as the first lawsuit to decide whether a social media company can be held responsible for content on its platforms . The ruling also comes as Meta faces broader legal pressure across the United States, including another case brought by four state attorneys general that is due to begin jury selection next week in Oakland .