Meta platforms found guilty of harming children's health and safety in US state trial
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The Bottom Line
New Mexico jury found Meta liable for deceiving consumers about child safety on its platforms, ordering $375 million penalty.
How This Affects You
If you use Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp, this verdict establishes that Meta knew about child sexual exploitation risks on its platforms and hid that information from users and parents.
AI Summary
A New Mexico jury found Meta guilty on March 25 of misleading consumers about safety and enabling harm to children on its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, while concealing what it knew about child sexual exploitation. The verdict, reached after a nearly seven-week trial, requires the company to pay a $375 million penalty. This marks a significant legal victory for a state pursuing claims that Meta prioritized engagement and profits over protections for minors. Meta said it disagrees with the verdict and plans to appeal. The decision could embolden other states to pursue similar litigation against the social media giant over child safety practices.
What's Being Done
Meta has stated it disagrees with the verdict and will appeal the decision.
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<p>New Mexico prosecutors allege Meta prioritized profit, even as child abuse surged on Instagram and Facebook</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&utm_campaign=BN22326&utm_content=signup&utm_term=standfirst&utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB">Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox</a></p></li></ul><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/meta">Meta</a> is facing a reckoning over its child safety practices as a trial surfaces fresh allegations that the company prioritized profit incentives and engagement over protecting children.</p><p>The landmark trial in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/newmexico">New Mexico</a> has now completed its fifth week, with the state attorney general resting the case on 5 March. Proceedings are expected to continue for another week as Meta ...
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