Meta Platforms was ordered to pay $375 million after a New Mexico jury found the company misled users about safety on Facebook and Instagram, marking a significant legal setback that could reshape how social media companies are held accountable for harms to children.
The verdict, delivered Tuesday in a case brought by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, concluded that Meta violated state consumer protection laws by failing to adequately safeguard minors while promoting its platforms as safe environments. Torrez called the outcome a "historic victory," stating: "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."
The case stems from a December 2023 complaint that followed reporting showing how Meta's platforms were used by predators to target minors. Jurors imposed the maximum penalty per violation, bringing the total fine to $375 million.
Evidence presented during the nearly seven-week trial pointed to repeated internal warnings about risks to children. Documents and testimony indicated that both employees and external experts flagged safety concerns, while law enforcement agencies, including the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, raised alarms about the effectiveness of Meta's monitoring systems.
Authorities testified that automated detection tools generated large volumes of low-quality alerts, complicating efforts to identify real threats. One case highlighted in court involved three men arrested in 2024 for attempting to exploit children through Meta platforms during an operation known as "Operation MetaPhile."
The trial also examined Meta's 2023 decision to encrypt Facebook Messenger, which prosecutors argued hindered criminal investigations. During depositions, Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri acknowledged that some level of harm-including sexual abuse and mental health impacts-was unavoidable at the scale of their platforms.
Meta said it will challenge the ruling. A company spokesperson stated: "We respectfully disagree with the verdict and will appeal. We remain confident in our record of protecting teens online." The company has pointed to investments in safety features, including Instagram Teen Accounts, designed to provide additional protections for users aged 13 to 17.
The next phase of proceedings, scheduled to begin May 4, will determine whether additional penalties or operational changes will be imposed. Proposed measures include stricter age verification, enhanced removal of predatory accounts and potential limits on encryption features that authorities say obscure criminal activity.
Legal analysts say the speed of jury deliberations-completed in a single day-signals the weight of the evidence presented. Former New Mexico deputy district attorney John W. Day described the outcome as a "huge win," suggesting it could encourage further litigation and regulatory scrutiny.
