News Summary
- A jury in New Mexico, USA, has ordered Meta to pay $375 million for harming children’s mental health.
- The jury ruled that Meta prioritized profits over safety and violated New Mexico’s Unfair Practices Act.
- A second trial phase against Meta is scheduled for May, while a similar case is ongoing in California.
March 24, Kathmandu – A jury in the United States has ordered social media giant Meta to pay a $375 million fine over accusations that it harmed children’s mental health and exposed them to the risk of sexual exploitation.
After a six-week trial, jurors in New Mexico reached this decision on Tuesday following allegations from state officials claiming the tech giant failed to adequately protect minors.
According to news agencies, this marks the first time any U.S. state has successfully won a child protection case against Meta.
Meta, the parent company of Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, has faced ongoing legal challenges regarding the impact of its platforms on youth mental health.
The jury sided with prosecutors, concluding that Meta prioritized profit over safety and violated New Mexico’s Unfair Practices Act.
The jury also agreed that Meta made false or misleading claims and engaged in unfair business practices by exploiting children’s vulnerability and risks.
The jury reviewed testimony from up to 40 witnesses, including whistleblower employees, along with hundreds of documents, reports, and emails.
A Meta spokesperson stated, “We disagree with this decision and intend to appeal.”
“Our current challenge is identifying and removing harmful or bad actors and content, and we are working hard to keep people safe,” the spokesperson added.
Democratic New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez filed the lawsuit in 2023 against Meta and CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
Torrez’s office conducted a covert operation where investigators posed as users under age 14 on Facebook and Instagram.
The office reported that these fake accounts received sexual material and were contacted by adults seeking such content, resulting in criminal cases against many.
Torrez described the verdict as a “historic victory for children and families” and emphasized the need to send a clear message to prevent recurrence.
He added, “The substantial damages ordered against Meta send a message to executives at big tech firms that all companies are held accountable under the law.”
The next phase of the case against Meta in New Mexico begins in May, where the court will consider ordering additional fines and platform operation reforms.
Separately, a jury in California is also examining whether Meta and YouTube should be held responsible for addiction and other harmful impacts on children.
This case serves as a precedent in a growing number of lawsuits targeting U.S. social media companies.
(Reported from Al Jazeera)
