Zuck Up: Meta Slapped With $375 Million Bill For Failing Kids
Mark Zuckerberg's behemoth social media company, which houses Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Threads, lost BIG in New Mexico court today. The lawsuit is the first of its kind - a state sued and won against a major tech company for the harm its platform caused young people.
The jury ordered Meta to pay the maximum penalty - $5,000 per violation - which totaled $375 million in civil penalties. Meta was specifically found liable for misleading consumers about the safety of their platform, which included child sexual exploitation.
Following the verdict, New Mexico attorney general Raúl Torrez put out a statement:
"The jury’s verdict is a historic victory for every child and family who has paid the price for Meta’s choice to put profits over kids’ safety. Meta executives knew their products harmed children, disregarded warnings from their own employees, and lied to the public about what they knew. Today the jury joined families, educators, and child safety experts in saying enough is enough.”
The lawsuit followed a massive investigation by the Guardian, published in April 2023, that showed how Facebook and Instagram were being exploited for child sex trafficking.
Meta plans to appeal and put out a statement saying: