New Mexico judge orders Meta to pay $567 million over child safety violations

A New Mexico judge has ordered Meta to pay $567 million after the state argued the tech giant allowed its platforms to become a public nuisance and cause harm to children. The amount exceeds the $375 million a jury awarded in March, when Meta was found liable for exposing young users to predators and other dangers.

New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez first filed suit against Meta in 2023, accusing the company of failing to protect minors from online exploitation. During the trial, prosecutors claimed Meta's algorithms actively suggested content from teenagers to adult users, while the company allegedly hid internal research about the risks to young people. In March, the jury determined that Meta had violated the state's Unfair Practices Act by deceiving consumers about the safety of its platforms.

Meta said it disagrees with the ruling and will appeal. The company stated that it works diligently to keep users safe and has been open about the difficulties of removing harmful actors and content.

Under the court's decision, roughly three-quarters of the $567 million fund will be earmarked for mental health services, to be distributed over five years. The remainder will support programs focused on awareness and prevention, screening and assessment, referral and coordination, as well as implementation and evaluation. Additionally, Meta must submit progress reports to the court every six months, outlining how it is complying with the order.

Torrez called the decision a victory for parents and children, saying the case was about holding a major technology company accountable for practices that endanger young people.