US Court Orders Meta to Pay $567 Million for Harm to Children

A judge in New Mexico on Thursday ordered Meta to pay more than half a billion dollars in damages in a lawsuit brought by the state, which accuses the tech giant of causing “public harm” and inflicting injury on children.

Meta had previously been ordered in March to pay $375 million to New Mexico after a jury found the company responsible for exposing children to danger on its platforms, making them vulnerable to predators, along with other harms.

Meta told AFP in a statement on Thursday, “We disagree with this ruling and will appeal it.”

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torres filed the lawsuit against Meta, owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, in 2023, accusing the company of failing to protect children from online risks.

During closing arguments, Assistant Attorney General Linda Singer told the jury that Meta’s algorithms were directing adults toward content posted by teenage users, while the company concealed internal findings regarding risks to young people.

In March, the jury decided that Meta violated the state’s Unfair Practices Act by misleading consumers about the safety of its products for children. Torres said in a statement on Thursday, “This case has always been about protecting children, supporting families, and ensuring that one of the world’s largest technology companies cannot profit from practices that endanger young people without accountability.”

He added, “Today’s decision is a victory for every parent worried about the impact of social media on their children, and for every child who deserves to grow up in a safer online environment.”

About three-quarters of the new $567 million penalty, to be paid over five years, will be allocated to treating psychological issues.

Following the ruling, Meta reaffirmed its confidence in its record of protecting teenagers online, stating it would continue to defend itself against claims that “distort the facts.”