New Mexico jury says Meta harms children's mental health and safety, violating state law

"The jury determined Meta violated parts of the state's Unfair Practices Act on accusations the company hid what it knew about the dangers of child sexual exploitation on its platforms and impacts on child mental health."

"Jurors found there were thousands of violations, each counting separately toward a penalty of $375 million."

"We respectfully disagree with the verdict and will appeal. We work hard to keep people safe on our platforms and are clear about the challenges of identifying and removing bad actors or harmful content."

"New Mexico's case was among the first to reach trial in a wave of litigation involving social media platforms and their impacts on children."

A New Mexico jury ruled that Meta knowingly harmed children's mental health and concealed information regarding child sexual exploitation on its platforms. The jury sided with state prosecutors, determining that Meta prioritized profits over safety and violated the state's Unfair Practices Act. They found that Meta made false statements and engaged in unconscionable trade practices, resulting in thousands of violations and a penalty of $375 million. Meta plans to appeal the verdict, asserting its commitment to safety and transparency regarding risks.

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