Facebook and Instagram at the center of a legal scandal: a ruling against Meta
25 March 17:47
A New Mexico jury has found Meta Platforms guilty of misleading users about the safety of its social media platforms and of creating conditions that could have facilitated the sexual exploitation of minors. This was reported by Reuters, as cited by "Komersant Ukrainian"
The case involves the company’s services:
- WhatsApp.
This is the first time a jury has found a company liable in such a lawsuit.
Court ruling
Prosecutors sought to impose a fine of over $2 billion on Meta Platforms, but the jury awarded a lower amount—$375 million.
New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torres called the court’s decision “a historic victory for every child and family.”
According to him, the case was a response to the company’s policy, which, according to the prosecution, prioritized profit over children’s safety.
How the case arose
The lawsuit against Meta Platforms followed a special operation by the prosecutor’s office.
In 2023, investigators created fake accounts on Facebook and Instagram, posing as users under the age of 14.
Subsequently, these accounts:
- began receiving sexualized content;
- became the target of contact from adult users seeking such material.
This led to criminal charges against several people who attempted to interact with these accounts.
What the company was accused of
The prosecution stated that Meta Platforms publicly assured users that its services were safe for children and teenagers.
At the same time, according to the prosecution, the company failed to disclose the true extent of the harmful content circulating on its platforms.
Meta’s position
Meta Platforms stated that it disagrees with the court’s decision.
The company plans to file an appeal, as it considers the jury’s findings unfounded.
What might change on the platforms
In May, a New Mexico court is set to hold another hearing—this time without a jury.
It will consider allegations that Meta’s platforms pose a public health and safety hazard to state residents.
The prosecution also plans to ask the court to:
- require the company to implement effective age verification for users;
- to step up the fight against pedophiles on the platforms.
This is not the only lawsuit against tech platforms regarding youth safety.
Previously, Meta Platforms, TikTok, and YouTube faced a lawsuit in Los Angeles over allegations that their algorithms may contribute to a mental health crisis among young people.
Separately, European Union regulators accused Meta of violating antitrust rules by restricting competitors in the field of artificial intelligence on WhatsApp.
