Meta ordered to pay US$375 million over child exploitation and user safety claims

A New Mexico jury on Tuesday found social media giant Meta liable for endangering children by making them vulnerable to predators on its platforms and other dangers.The verdict came after roughly a day of deliberations following a six-week trial in which the state accused Facebook and Instagram’s parent company of failing to protect minors from sexual abuse, online solicitation and human trafficking.The state had sought the maximum US$2.2 billion in damages, but the jury awarded a lesser amount of US$375 million.The case, tried in a Santa Fe court, is among the first involving social media platforms and child safety to produce a jury verdict.“The jury’s verdict is a historic victory for every child and family who has paid the price for Meta’s choice to put profits over kids’ safety,” said New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez, who brought the case.“Meta executives knew their products harmed children, disregarded warnings from their own employees, and lied to the public about what they knew,” he added.Meta said it would challenge the decision.