Meta Ordered to Pay $567 Million in New Mexico Child Safety Case
A court in New Mexico has mandated that Meta pay $567 million due to damages associated with its platforms affecting young users, marking the largest penalty imposed on the company regarding child safety. On Thursday, Judge Bryan Biedscheid announced this fine during the trial's second phase, which adds to the $375 million penalty from March, bringing the total to $942 million. A jury determined that Meta was negligent in safeguarding children from exploitation and harmful material. The recent fine allocates $420 million for treatment services in New Mexico. Additionally, Meta is required to modify its platform operations, such as eliminating Like counts for users under 18 without parental consent and restricting usage to 90 hours monthly. The company intends to appeal the ruling.
Key facts
- New Mexico District Court Judge Bryan Biedscheid ordered Meta to pay $567 million in the second phase of a landmark trial.
- The latest order brings the total amount Meta has been ordered to pay to $942 million, including the $375 million fine imposed in March.
- A New Mexico jury found Meta liable for failing to protect children from exploitation and harmful content on its platforms.
- Meta owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
- $420 million of the latest penalty will be used for treatment services for young people in New Mexico.
- The remaining money will go toward awareness and prevention programs, screening services, and other costs over the next five years.
- The court ordered Meta to remove Like counts for users under 18 unless they have parental approval, pause push notifications between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., and limit usage to 90 hours per month.
- Meta plans to appeal the judgment.
- New Mexico's case is the first to go to trial among more than 40 lawsuits filed by state attorneys general.
- Meta spokesperson Andy Stone stated that the company remains confident in its record of protecting teens online.
Entities
Institutions
- Meta
- New Mexico District Court
- TechCrunch
- New Mexico Court
- Los Angeles Court
- Oakland, California federal court
Locations
- New Mexico
- United States
- Los Angeles
- Oakland
- California
- Tennessee