Meta fined $567m in largest child safety ruling against social media giant

In a landmark decision, a US judge in New Mexico has ordered Meta to pay an additional $567m (£421m) for its failure to warn the public about potential dangers posed by its platforms to children. This ruling, handed down by Judge Bryan Biedscheid, marks the largest fine ever imposed on the social media giant over child safety concerns.

Judge Biedscheid deemed Meta a "public nuisance," likening the company to a factory that produces advertising and content, while posing a "psychological harm and sexual exploitation pollution" to children. To rectify these issues, the judge ordered Meta to place the fine in a fund designed to prevent future harm.

This additional fine brings Meta's total legal penalties in the case to $567m. The ruling comes on top of a previous $375m fine that Meta was previously ordered to pay in the same case. The judge's decision compares Meta to a factory, with its advertising and content serving as the product and the exploitation of children as the harmful byproduct that must be mitigated.

As of now, Meta has not yet commented on the new ruling. The company, which owns and operates Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Threads, has previously indicated its intention to appeal the $375m fine.