In brief
In a landmark ruling, a New Mexico court ordered Meta to pay $567 million—its largest fine for child safety—to a fund aimed at mitigating future harms from its platforms. Judge Bryan Biedscheid likened Meta to a factory that produces advertising and content, whose psychological harm to children must be abated much like a public nuisance. The verdict follows an earlier $375 million fine and continues Meta’s ongoing legal battles over child protection. Meta, owner of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads, is expected to appeal the decision. The ruling signals increasing regulatory pressure on social media giants to safeguard young users.
A New Mexico judge on Thursday ordered Meta to pay another $567 million for failing to warn the public about dangers its platforms posed to children, marking the largest ruling against the company over child safety.
Judge Bryan Biedscheid described Meta as a "public nuisance" akin to air pollution and said its money must be placed in a fund aimed at reducing future harms. The ruling adds to the $375 million fine that Meta had already been ordered to pay.
Biedscheid compared Meta to a factory, with advertising and content as its product and "psychological harm and sexual exploitation of children" as the pollution that must be abated. Meta owns and operates Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and Threads.
Meta was contacted by the BBC for comment. The company indicated it intends to appeal the earlier $375 million verdict.
