AI Generated Image
Meta told to pay another $567m in New Mexico child safety lawsuit
BBC • • general
Key Points:
- A US judge in New Mexico ordered Meta to pay an additional $567 million for failing to warn the public about the dangers its platforms pose to children, bringing the total fines in the case to $942 million.
- Judge Bryan Biedscheid described Meta as a "public nuisance" comparable to air pollution, requiring the company to fund efforts aimed at reducing future harms to children.
- The ruling follows a 2023 lawsuit by New Mexico attorneys, which accused Meta of exposing children to sexually explicit material and predators through its recommendation algorithms.
- This is the largest fine Meta has faced related to child safety and the first time a social media company has been legally deemed a public nuisance for its impact on public health and safety.
- Meta has indicated plans to appeal the earlier $375 million verdict, which was the first successful state lawsuit against the company on child safety grounds.
