A New Mexico jury has ordered Meta Platforms to pay $375 million (€317 million) in civil penalties after finding the company engaged in “unconscionable” trade practices that harmed children and failed to address child sexual exploitation on its platforms.
Jurors concluded that Meta took advantage of the “vulnerabilities and inexperience” of young users and committed thousands of violations of the state’s Unfair Practices Act. The verdict, delivered on Tuesday, also found that the company concealed information about the risks of child sexual exploitation.
The case stems from a lawsuit filed in 2023 by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez. As part of the investigation, his office created decoy accounts posing as 14-year-olds. Investigators said the platforms directed these accounts toward sexually explicit material and recommended unmoderated groups where exploitation could occur.
Jurors reviewed internal company documents and heard testimony from executives, engineers, whistleblowers, and safety experts during the trial. The case also examined whether users were misled by public statements about platform safety made by senior figures, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
Meta said it disagrees 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,” a spokesperson said, adding that the company remains confident in its record of protecting teenagers online.
A second phase of the trial is scheduled for May, when a judge will decide whether Meta’s platforms constitute a “public nuisance.” Such a ruling could require the company to fund programmes addressing harms linked to social media use.
More than 40 state attorneys general have filed similar lawsuits against Meta, alleging its platforms contribute to a broader mental health crisis among young people.
