A court in New Mexico has ordered Meta to pay $375 million for misleading users about how safe its platforms are for children. A jury found that apps like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp exposed kids to harmful content and contact with predators.
Attorney General Raul Torrez called the decision “historic,” saying it’s the first time a state has won a case like this against Meta. The company, led by Mark Zuckerberg, said it disagrees and plans to appeal.
During the trial, jurors saw internal documents and heard that Meta knew about risks to children but did not do enough. The jury ruled the company broke the state’s Unfair Practices Act by giving a false sense of safety.
The $375 million fine comes from thousands of violations. Meta says it has added new safety tools, especially for teens, but the case is one of many similar lawsuits across the U.S.
