A New Mexico jury finds Meta violated the state's unfair practices act by not safeguarding its apps from child predators; Meta must pay $375M in civil damages

A jury has reached a verdict in a major New Mexico trial in which the state's attorney general alleged that Meta failed to safeguard its family of apps from child predators.

CNBC 2026-03-25 Jonathan Vanian

Discussion

@andymstone Andy Stone on x
Meta statement on New Mexico verdict: “We respectfully disagree with the verdict and will appeal. We work hard to keep people safe on our platforms and are clear about the challenges of identifying and removing bad actors or harmful content. We will continue to defend ourselves…
@bymaddiehughes Maddie Hughes on x
Meta was just served a $375 million fine in New Mexico for breaking the state's Unfair Practices Act. We've been covering the trial all along at @mlexclusive check here for our coverage https://mlex.shorthandstories.com/ ...
@andymstone Andy Stone on x
@rebeccamkern Just a fraction of what the State sought
@matthewstoller Matt Stoller on x
First a jury nailed Elon Musk, now a different jury nailed Meta. Let's move judges aside and have juries make these kinds of choices. https://www.cnbc.com/...
@torrezfornm Raúl Torrez on x
Victory! Meta Ordered to Pay $375 Million Over Child Safety Violations. [video]
@hawleymo Josh Hawley on x
Terrific news
@jason_kint Jason Kint on x
I'm sure it doesn't help when their official spokesperson is downplaying a $375 million fine with two more potentially coming covering the other 99%+ of the US. [image]
@robertfreundlaw Rob Freund on x
Watch for politicians on both sides to say “See? We need kids off these dangerous platforms. To do that, we need to build a massive surveillance apparatus and destroy all online anonymity.” And people will support it “because kids.”
@jason_kint Jason Kint on x
Boom. Accountability domino number one. And this isn't Los Angeles which is imminent. Facebook/Instagram = Big Tobacco, a menace, has been the case to these juries of everyday Americans.
@rebeccamkern Rebecca Kern on x
Meta says it will challenge New Mexico jury ruling that the social media giant owes $375 million in damages in child sex exploitation case
@dareasmunhoz Diego Areas Munhoz on x
This decision will certainly be cited by lawmakers in Washington making the push for kids online safety legislation
@taylorlorenz Taylor Lorenz on x
This case will now be cited by lawmakers in DC seeking to enact mass surveillance and censorship laws in the name of “kids online safety”, despite the fact that none of their laws do that. It will also only further the moral panic about open internet access
@madeindex @madeindex on bluesky
#Meta was just found guilty and only fined $375 million? — Another slap on the wrist... If you need proof: — “Meta shares were up 0.8% in after-hours trade following the verdict. The state had asked the jury to award more than $2 billion in damages” — 🔽 Part 1/2 🔽 …
@flingjore.com @flingjore.com on bluesky
Meta knowingly harmed children's mental health and concealed child sexual exploitation risks, a Santa Fe jury finds. Landmark verdict cites thousands of violations of the state's Unfair Practices Act, carrying a $375 million penalty. The “move fast and break things” mantra fina…
@jeffhorwitz Jeff Horwitz on bluesky
For anyone losing track: the New Mexico Case was running parallel to the LA bellwether social media teen mental health case. — Jury finding for the state across the board is, however, a big moment for the crowd arguing that product liability offers a way around Section 230.
@mollyknight Molly Knight on bluesky
Everyone dooming over how $185M means nothing to Meta: this lawsuit was brought by one (small) state. Forty-nine plus DC to go. — It is okay and encouraged to celebrate Ws instead of just saying “it doesn't matter” every time any awful corporation faces ANY consequences. This…
@jeffhorwitz Jeff Horwitz on bluesky
New Mexico took a different tack from the other states going after broader youth well being stuff. (It is not part of the massive multi-state case). — There is overlap, though, and I don't think there's anything stopping similar cases from being brought by AGs. [embedded post…
@guntoucher @guntoucher on bluesky
company that just finished burning up 70b on the metaverse: “lol” [embedded post]
@jeffhorwitz Jeff Horwitz on bluesky
Verdict is in for the New Mexico child safety case against Meta. Goes against Meta on every question. — Jury finds Meta liable for ~37,000 violations. Maximum liability of $5,000 per violation.
r/technology r on reddit
Meta must pay $375 million for violating New Mexico law in child exploitation case, jury rules
r/UpliftingNews r on reddit
New Mexico Jury says Meta Harms Children's Mental Health and Safety - 375M Judgement | AP News
r/inthenews r on reddit
New Mexico jury says Meta harms children's mental health and safety, violating state law
r/New_Mexico_ r on reddit
New Mexico jury says Meta harms children's mental health and safety | AP News
r/themayormccheese r on reddit
New Mexico jury ruled Tuesday that Meta knowingly harmed children's mental health and concealed what it knew about child sexual exploitation on its social media platforms.
r/anticapitalism r on reddit
New Mexico jury says Meta harms children's mental health and safety, violating state law
r/technology r on reddit
New Mexico jury says Meta harms children's mental health and safety | AP News
r/technology r on reddit
Meta misled users about its products' safety, jury decides
r/degoogle r on reddit
Meta ordered to pay $375 million in New Mexico trial over child exploitation, user safety claims
r/goodnews r on reddit
New Mexico jury says Meta harms children's mental health and safety, violating state law
r/NewMexico r on reddit
New Mexico jury finds Meta violated consumer protection law at trial about child safety
r/news r on reddit
New Mexico jury says Meta harms children's mental health and safety | AP News
r/law r on reddit
New Mexico jury finds Meta violated consumer protection law at trial about child safety

Chronicles

A New Mexico jury finds Meta violated the state's unfair practices act by not safeguarding its apps from child predators; Meta must pay $375M in civil damages

Related Coverage

Discussion