Meta ordered to pay $567 Mn to US for 'public nuisance' and 'child harm'
A New Mexico judge has ordered Meta to pay $567 million for failing to protect children from online harms and creating a public nuisance. The funds are earmarked for mental health treatment and prevention programs following a jury's finding that the company misled consumers about platform safety.
Why it matters
This ruling represents a significant legal precedent in holding social media giants accountable for the impact of their algorithms on youth mental health.
A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay more than half a billion dollars over the state's claims that the social media giant created a "public nuisance" and harmed children.Meta was previously ordered to pay $375 million in damages to New Mexico in March when a jury found the company liable for endangering children by making them vulnerable to predators on its platforms, among other harms."We disagree with the ruling and will appeal," Meta said in a statement.
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