New Mexico Seeks $1 Billion from Meta After Liability Verdict
The New Mexico Department of Justice is asking for nearly $1 billion from Meta, Facebook’s parent company. This follows a jury decision that found the tech company responsible for endangering children and misleading users about platform safety.
Last month, Meta was ordered to pay a civil penalty of $5,000 per violation of the state’s Unfair Practices Act, resulting in a total of $375 million. According to a report from SourceNM, a recent court filing demands Meta pay $953 million into a fund dedicated to public education and behavioral health.
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez claims company executives prioritized profits over child safety. He accused Meta of ignoring internal staff warnings and deceiving the public about their knowledge.
Torrez argued that Meta’s design choices facilitated child exploitation by predators on its platforms. He also stated that the company’s apps intentionally addicted young users, exposing them to harmful content. The state’s abatement amount demand has been reduced by over 90% from initial figures.
A Meta spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the Attorney General’s proposals could potentially put teens at risk, infringe on parental rights, and limit free expression.
An earlier judgment found Meta negligent after operating a platform that caused mental health distress to a young user, as ruled by a Los Angeles jury in March.
The spokesperson emphasized that the state’s case overlooks the multitude of apps teens use daily and lacks scientific or legal grounding for their demands. Meta has implemented many of the requested safety measures, offering age-appropriate experiences.
Alexandra Koch, a Fox News Digital journalist, reports on impactful events shaping national discourse. She has covered numerous significant US crises.