A jury in New Mexico has ruled that Meta Platforms violated state consumer protection laws by misleading users about the safety of its platforms and enabling child sexual exploitation on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The decision, reached after less than a day of deliberations, marks the first time a jury has held the tech giant accountable over children’s safety.
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed the lawsuit, accusing Meta of deceiving the public about protections for minors while giving predators access to underage users. Torrez hailed the ruling as “a historic victory for every child and family who has paid the price for Meta’s choice to put profits over kids’ safety.”
The case was fueled by a 2023 undercover operation in which state officials posed as users under 14. Investigators received sexually explicit content and were contacted by adults seeking similar materials, resulting in criminal charges against several individuals. Prosecutors argued that Meta knowingly failed to implement basic safeguards like age verification while promoting its platforms as safe for children. Features like infinite scroll and autoplay videos were also criticized for contributing to addiction, anxiety, and depression among young users.
Meta has denied wrongdoing and announced it will appeal. A company spokesperson emphasized the firm’s “robust disclosures and tireless efforts to prevent harmful content” and its ongoing work to remove bad actors. The six-week trial found 75,000 violations of state consumer protection laws, with a $5,000 penalty per violation. A second phase of the case is set for May, where prosecutors will seek additional penalties and court-ordered changes, including stronger age verification measures. The ruling comes amid thousands of similar lawsuits nationwide targeting Meta over platforms allegedly designed to harm young users’ mental health.