A New Mexico jury ordered Meta Platforms to pay $375 million after finding violations of state consumer protection laws tied to user safety claims.
The case accused Meta of misleading users about protections on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, while enabling child exploitation risks across its platforms.
Jurors reached a verdict in under a day, marking the first jury ruling against Meta on allegations involving platform safety and youth protection.
Meta said it disagrees with the decision and plans to appeal, citing ongoing efforts to detect harmful content and remove bad actors.
Attorney General Raúl Torrez called the ruling a “historic victory”, warning that major tech firms remain accountable under consumer protection laws.
A second trial phase in May will determine whether Meta must implement platform changes and face additional financial penalties.
The lawsuit followed a six-week trial alleging Meta allowed predators to contact minors, contributing to real-world harm and systemic safety failures.
The verdict adds pressure as Meta faces broader litigation over youth mental health, with claims its design features foster addictive behavior among young users.
