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Jury orders Meta to pay $375 mln in New Mexico lawsuit over child sexual exploitation, user safety

The jury found Meta concealed risks and prioritized profits over child safety, imposing $375 million in penalties for thousands of violations under New Mexico’s Unfair Practices Act.

  • On Tuesday, a New Mexico jury found Meta violated state consumer protection law, ordering the company to pay $375 million in civil penalties for misleading the public about platform safety for children.
  • The lawsuit stemmed from a 2023 undercover operation where New Mexico investigators documented how Meta's algorithms prioritized engagement over safety, creating what the state called a "breeding ground" for predators targeting children.
  • Meta attorney Kevin Huff argued the company employs 40,000 staff dedicated to safety, but Meta "respectfully disagrees" with the verdict and plans to appeal the decision.
  • New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez called the verdict "historic", stating the substantial damages send a clear message that no company is "beyond the reach of the law".
  • A bench trial beginning May 4 will determine if Meta created a public nuisance, potentially mandating platform changes including age verification and stricter predator removal protocols.
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Lean Right

Decision marks the first sentence of a jury on these allegations against the company, when the Meta faces a broader challenge on how young people's mental health is affected by the platforms

·Brazil
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Lean Left

A jury in New Mexico has found that tech giant Meta violated state law. The lawsuit, filed by the state attorney general, accuses the company of misleading users about the security of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, all of which are owned by Meta, and of facilitating the sexual exploitation of children.

·Copenhagen, Denmark
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Reuters broke the news in United Kingdom on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
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