The New Mexico Department of Justice is pursuing close to $1 billion from Meta, Facebook’s parent company, after a jury found the corporation liable for endangering children and misleading the public about the safety of its platforms. Following the verdict, Meta was ordered to pay $5,000 per violation under the state’s Unfair Practices Act, totaling $375 million.
A recent court filing requested Meta contribute $953 million to a fund for public education and behavioral health programs, according to SourceNM reports. New Mexico’s Attorney General, Raúl Torrez, has accused Meta executives of prioritizing profits over child safety. Allegedly, they ignored employee warnings and provided false information to the public.
Torrez claimed Meta’s platform designs facilitated child exploitation by predators. He also stated that these designs intentionally attracted young users, exposing them to harmful content on self-harm and eating disorders. The state’s requested abatement amount has been significantly reduced by over 90% from initial demands.
Throughout the trial, the New Mexico Attorney General pursued a misguided strategy with mandates that could potentially leave teens less safe and infringe on parental rights,a Meta spokesperson told Fox News Digital.The State’s case overlooks the numerous apps teens use daily and lacks scientific or legal justification for targeting Meta. We are committed to providing safe, age-appropriate experiences and have launched 13 safety measures this past year,the spokesperson added.
In a related case, Meta was found negligent in operating a platform that caused mental health issues for a young user, as determined by a Los Angeles jury in March.
Alexandra Koch is a reporter for Fox News Digital, covering major events that influence national discussions. Her reporting includes coverage of significant crises like the L.A. wildfires and the Boulder terror attack.