MEXICO-(MaraviPost)-A US jury has ordered Meta to pay $375 million in civil penalties for endangering children and violating New Mexico’s consumer protection laws.
The verdict marks a significant milestone in the ongoing battle against Big Tech’s alleged prioritization of profits over user safety.
The lawsuit, brought by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, accused Meta of misleading users about the safety of its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, and enabling child sexual exploitation.
The jury found that Meta had engaged in “unconscionable” trade practices, taking advantage of children’s vulnerabilities and inexperience.
Meta’s actions were deemed to have contributed to a mental health crisis among young people, with the company’s algorithms and design features allegedly serving to publish harmful content.
The jury’s decision was influenced by internal documents and testimony from former employees, which revealed the company’s awareness of the issues and its failure to act.
The verdict is seen as a watershed moment in the fight for children’s safety online, with implications for Big Tech’s liability and responsibility.
Meta has announced plans to appeal the decision, stating that it works hard to keep people safe on its platforms and is clear about the challenges of identifying and removing bad actors or harmful content.
The case highlights the growing concern over social media’s impact on mental health, particularly among young people.
As the first state to successfully sue Meta over child safety issues, New Mexico’s victory may set a precedent for other states and lawsuits.