Arabic version: ميتا تواجه غرامة قدرها 375 مليون دولار لانتهاكات سلامة الأطفال

A jury in New Mexico has ordered Meta Platforms to pay $375 million after finding the company violated state consumer protection laws. The lawsuit, initiated by the state attorney-general, accused Meta of misleading users regarding the safety of its platforms—Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp—and enabling child sexual exploitation.

According to ABC News, the jury’s ruling marks a significant legal milestone as it is the first time a jury has ruled on such claims against Meta. Following the verdict, Meta announced plans to appeal, asserting that it prioritizes user safety and has made efforts to combat harmful content on its platforms.

New Mexico Attorney-General Raúl Torrez hailed the verdict as a historic victory, emphasizing the importance of holding big tech accountable for prioritizing profits over children’s safety. He indicated that the state would seek further changes to Meta’s platforms in a subsequent trial phase scheduled for May.

The case arose from an undercover investigation in 2023, where state investigators posed as underage users on Meta’s platforms. The investigation revealed that these accounts received sexually explicit material and were contacted by adults seeking similar content, prompting criminal charges against several individuals. The state argued that Meta failed to implement essential safety measures, such as age verification, despite being aware of the potential dangers.

Meta’s legal team contended that the company had robust safeguards in place and did not intentionally deceive the public. However, the jury concluded that Meta had violated New Mexico’s consumer protection law by knowingly engaging in an unfair or deceptive trade practice, leading to the substantial financial penalty.