A jury has ordered tech giant Meta Platforms to pay $375 million to the state of New Mexico after finding the company failed to adequately protect children from online exploitation, according to NBC News.
The lawsuit was originally filed in 2023 by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, who accused Meta of allowing child predators to operate on its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. Prosecutors argued that the company misled parents about safety measures while continuing to prioritize user growth and engagement.
During the trial, investigators presented evidence from undercover operations in which agents posed as minors online. According to officials, those accounts were quickly contacted by suspicious users and exposed to inappropriate content. The state claimed internal company records showed Meta was aware of ongoing risks but failed to take stronger action to prevent harm.
Jurors ruled that Meta violated New Mexico’s consumer protection laws, issuing fines that reached the legal maximum per violation. The total penalty added up to $375 million, marking one of the largest financial penalties tied to child safety issues involving social media platforms.
Meta has denied wrongdoing and announced plans to appeal the decision. In a statement, the company said it continues to invest in safety tools designed to protect young users, including parental controls and stricter account protections for teens.
Legal experts say the case could set a powerful precedent nationwide. The ruling may encourage other states to pursue similar legal action against social media companies, potentially reshaping how online platforms are required to protect children moving forward.
