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In a landmark verdict, a New Mexico jury has found Meta knowingly harmed children's mental health and failed to act when it knew about sexual exploitation on its platforms
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Did Meta violate the Unfair Practices Act by engaging in an unconscionable trade practice
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The jury's answer is yes. Did Meta act willfully by engaging in an unconscionable trade practice
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The jury's answer is yes. After a nearly seven-week trial, jurors sided with New Mexico prosecutors who argued that Meta, which of course used to be Facebook, put profits ahead of safety
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The state says the company made false and misleading statements and designed its platforms to be addictive, exposing young users to harmful content tied to eating disorders, self-harm, and sexual exploitation
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Prosecutors also argued those design choices enabled child sexual exploitation. Metta must now pay $375 million in civil penalties to the state
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This is historic. It's the first of its kind in the entire country
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And I'm really excited that we can be an example for the rest of this country
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and frankly for people all around the world that are concerned about big tech and its impact on our kids
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Metta says it will appeal, writing, quote, we respectfully disagree with the verdict. The company adds it will continue to defend its record
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on protecting teens online. A second phase of the trial is set for May when a judge will decide
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whether Meta created a public nuisance and should fund programs to address the harm
