New Mexico judge calls Meta a 'public nuisance' that's like a factory emitting 'noxious pollution' in record $567 million fine — and even Meta's own attorneys agree
In the second phase of the landmark New Mexico case, the judge says Facebook and Instagram are major polluters.
In a recent legal ruling from New Mexico, Meta has been hit with a substantial fine of $567 million, being likened to a polluting factory emitting "noxious pollution" by the judge. The judge compared Meta's apps, particularly Instagram and Facebook, to factories creating a "societal burden" for children and their families, schools, hospitals, and law enforcement.
The judge, Bryan Biedscheid, expressed the belief that Meta's apps have wider implications beyond mere personal harm. Majority of the fine, $420 million, is designated for mental health support services for New Mexico's youth, encompassing community-based programs, screening, prevention, and referral initiatives. The order also mandates the deletion of accounts and data of users under 13, enacts restricted notification hours for those under 18, and establishes default privacy settings for newly registered teen accounts.
However, Meta plans to appeal the decision, which could entail a lengthy legal process. This ruling underscores the growing recognition of social media's potential detrimental effects on younger generations and may lead to further regulations.
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