Meta fined $567m in largest child safety ruling against social media giant
A US judge in New Mexico has ordered Meta to pay another $567m (£421m) for its failure to warn the public about dangers its platforms posed to children, marking the largest fine against the company over child safety. Judge Bryan Biedscheid said the social media giant is a “public nuisance” akin to air pollution and […]
A US judge in New Mexico has ordered Meta, the parent company of social media platforms Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Threads, to pay an additional $567 million in fines for its failure to protect children from harmful content on its platforms. This brings the total amount the company must pay in the case to $942 million. Judge Bryan Biedscheid likened Meta to a factory, with its advertising and content products leading to "psychological harm and sexual exploitation of children", which must be addressed and abated.
The judge compared Meta's behavior to air pollution, stating that the social media giant must set aside the funds to reduce future harms. Meta, which has already been fined $375 million in this case, stated it will appeal the ruling, claiming the decision misrepresents the company's efforts to protect young users.
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Also reported by 6 other outlets
- What the new half-billion-dollar judgment against Meta could signal for social media's future thenationalnews.com
- Meta fined $567m in largest child safety ruling against social media giant gbcghanaonline.com
- Meta fined $567m in largest child safety ruling against social media giant myjoyonline.com
- Meta fined in child safety case france24.com
- Instagram owner Meta ordered to pay nearly $1B in fines for risking child safety, court says cbsnews.com
- A New Mexico judge ordered new child safeguards for Meta. Advocates hope other courts follow pbs.org
