Meta faces $942m child-safety bill in New Mexico
Meta has been ordered to bear costs totalling $942 million in New Mexico after a judge found that Facebook and Instagram contributed to a public nuisance involving harm to children, adding sweeping safeguards for young users as the company prepares for a potentially far larger legal battle in California. Judge Bryan Biedscheid of the First Judicial District Court directed Meta to place $567…
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has been ordered to pay $942 million in New Mexico to address child safety concerns. The ruling, handed down by Judge Bryan Biedscheid, mandates the creation of a $567 million five-year abatement fund and $375 million in civil penalties. The fund will primarily fund mental health services, safety measures, and preventative programs for young users.
The case arose from allegations that Meta failed to adequately disclose risks to young users and exposed them to psychological harm and sexual exploitation. The court found that Meta's conduct constituted a public nuisance, requiring remedies beyond monetary penalties. The ruling significantly increases Meta's legal exposure, with a potential $1.4 trillion liability facing the company in a forthcoming federal trial in California.
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