UMVA has learned that the New Mexico Department of Justice is seeking a staggering $953 million from Meta, the parent company of Facebook, after a jury found the tech giant liable for endangering children and misleading the public about the safety of its platforms.
A recent court filing revealed that the state is asking the court to force Meta to pay the massive sum into a fund that would support public education and behavioral health work. This move comes after a verdict last month ordered Meta to pay a $375 million penalty for breaching the state's Unfair Practices Act.
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez has been vocal about his allegations, claiming that Meta executives prioritized profits over children's safety, disregarded warnings from their own employees, and lied to the public about what they knew. Torrez alleged that the company's design choices enabled pedophiles and predators to sexually exploit children on its platforms.
The state's accusations get even more disturbing, with Torrez claiming that Meta intentionally designed its apps to addict young users, exposing them to dangerous content promoting self-harm and eating disorders. The requested abatement amount was significantly dropped from its initial demands, but the state's case against Meta is still strong.
A Meta spokesperson pushed back, saying that the New Mexico Attorney General's strategy would risk leaving teens less safe, infringe on parental rights, and stifle free expression. The spokesperson emphasized that the company remains committed to providing safe, age-appropriate experiences and has already launched many of the protections the state seeks.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the case against Meta highlights the growing scrutiny of tech giants and their role in protecting young users. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the tech industry as a whole.
The battle between Meta and the state of New Mexico raises important questions about the responsibility of tech companies to protect their users, particularly children. As the case moves forward, one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the consequences could be far-reaching.
