Meta, the largest technology company, is facing a serious lawsuit after being ordered to pay a civil penalty of $375 million after a New Mexico jury found the company misled users about the security of its platform.
The verdict made history as the first time Meta has been held accountable through a full trial for wrongdoing on its platform, including serious allegations of child sexual exploitation.
Attorney General Raul Torrez called the verdict a significant victory for the victims' families.
He stressed that Meta's management was allegedly aware of the risks faced by young users, and had received multiple internal warnings, but failed to act accordingly.
The case began in December 2023 after an investigation revealed how platforms like Facebook and Instagram were allegedly used as a medium for child trafficking and exploitation.
The jury ultimately agreed on two main charges under the unfair practices law, leading to a maximum penalty of $5,000 for each violation.
However, Meta is not silent.
The company has said it will appeal and described the prosecution's arguments as 'overly sensational'.
In an official statement, Meta also stressed its commitment to improving user safety, especially among teenagers, including significant investments in protective technology.
Throughout the trial, various pieces of evidence were revealed, including repeated warnings from internal employees and external security experts about the risks of exploitation on its platform.
In fact, an undercover operation known as 'Operation MetaPhile' in 2024 also uncovered the use of Meta's platform by predators to fish for child victims.
The court was also told that the message encryption feature introduced in 2023 makes it difficult for authorities to obtain vital evidence, thus giving perpetrators space to carry out criminal activities without being detected.
More worryingly, agencies such as the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children have stated that reports from Meta's system are often unhelpful because too much irrelevant information, thus hampering the investigation process.
The case is still ongoing, with prosecutors expected to seek additional penalties starting May 4 and urging Meta to implement stricter security measures.
Meta CEOs Mark Zuckerberg and Adam Mosseri acknowledged the challenges of managing risk, but stressed their commitment to improving the platform's security.
At the same time, Meta is also facing a major lawsuit in Los Angeles, which claims that social media is negatively impacting the mental health of teenagers.
