Earlier, in March, Meta was ordered to pay the state of New Mexico $375 million in damages after a jury found the company responsible for harm to children, as among other violations, children on this platform could become victims of criminals.
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“We disagree with this decision and intend to appeal it,” Meta said in a statement to AFP on Thursday. “We strive to ensure people’s safety on our platforms and have always been open about the challenges related to identifying and removing malicious individuals and harmful content.”
New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez filed a lawsuit against Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, in 2023, claiming the company failed to protect children from online dangers.
In closing arguments, prosecutor Linda Singer told the jury that Meta’s algorithms directed adults to content posted by teenage users, and the company concealed internal data about the risks to youth.
Parental concern
In March, the jury decided that Meta violated the state’s Unfair Practices Act by misleading users about the safety of its products for children.
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“This case has always been about protecting children, defending the interests of families, and ensuring that one of the world’s largest technology companies cannot profit without consequences from activities that endanger young people,” Torrez said in a statement on Thursday. “Today’s decision is a victory for every parent worried about the impact social networks have on their child, and for every child who deserves to grow up safer online.”
About three-quarters of the $567 million should be allocated to mental health treatment, and this amount must be paid over five years. The remaining sum is distributed to several programs.
After the court ruling, Meta stated that the company remains “confident in its achievements in protecting teenagers online and will continue to defend itself against claims that distort the facts.”
Meta will also be required to submit reports to the court twice a year on its efforts to comply with the decision’s requirements. Additionally, the ruling mandates Meta to make changes to its products, including ongoing efforts to ensure that children under 13 living in New Mexico cannot use Facebook and Instagram.
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