A court in New Mexico has ordered Meta to pay $375 million (₹3,100 crore approx.) after a jury found the company misled users about the safety of its platforms for children.
Jury finds Meta liable
The verdict follows a seven-week trial in which jurors concluded that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, violated the state’s Unfair Practices Act.
The jury held the company responsible for exposing minors to sexually explicit content and potential contact with sexual predators.
Internal evidence raises concerns
During the trial, prosecutors presented internal company documents and testimony from former employees indicating that Meta was aware of risks faced by young users.
A former engineering leader testified that internal experiments showed underage users were frequently exposed to inappropriate content. In one instance, his own daughter reportedly received inappropriate messages from a stranger on Instagram.
Research cited in court suggested that a significant number of users had encountered unwanted sexual content within a short period.
Record penalty and broader implications
The $375 million penalty was calculated based on thousands of violations, each carrying a fine under state law. Officials described the verdict as historic, marking the first successful state-level lawsuit against Meta on child safety grounds.
Authorities said the ruling sends a strong message about corporate accountability in protecting minors online.
Meta to challenge verdict
Meta has disagreed with the decision and announced plans to appeal. The company stated that it continues to invest in safety features, including tools aimed at protecting teenagers and alerting parents about harmful content.
Growing scrutiny of tech platforms
The case is part of a broader wave of legal action against major technology companies over the impact of social media on children.
Thousands of similar lawsuits are currently underway in the United States, reflecting increasing global concern about digital safety and platform responsibility.