A New Mexico jury has ruled Meta liable for failing to protect children from sexual exploitation, imposing a $375 million fine, though the company says it will appeal the decision.
The case comes as Meta faces increasing legal scrutiny, with another trial in Los Angeles examining its role in social media addiction. In New Mexico, state officials accused the company of misleading parents and putting profits ahead of child safety.
Attorney General Raúl Torrez said the verdict marks the first time a state has held Meta accountable in court for enabling harm to children. While prosecutors pushed for penalties of up to $2.2 billion, the jury opted for a lower amount, with additional fines and platform changes still possible in the next phase.
Meta rejected the ruling, stating it will challenge the outcome and emphasizing its ongoing efforts to improve safety, including parental controls and Teen Accounts.
During the trial, the state argued that Meta failed to properly enforce its minimum age requirement and that its algorithms exposed teenagers to harmful content. Lawyers also claimed the company was aware of these risks but did not act transparently.
Meta maintains it has long required users to be at least 13 and continues to invest in tools aimed at protecting younger users, even as legal pressure around its platforms continues to grow.