A New Mexico jury has ordered Meta Platforms Inc. to pay $375 million after finding the company liable for misleading consumers about platform safety and endangering children, according to the New Mexico Department of Justice.

The verdict follows a trial in Santa Fe in which the state argued that Meta’s design choices and disclosures failed to protect minors from harm on its platforms. The penalty represents the maximum allowed under New Mexico law.

Jury Finds Violations Under Consumer Protection Law

The case was brought under New Mexico’s Unfair Practices Act, with the jury finding Meta liable on both counts presented by the state. State officials argued that Meta misled users and parents about the safety of its platforms while enabling harmful interactions involving minors. Evidence presented during the trial included internal company documents, testimony from former employees, and accounts from law enforcement and educators.

According to the New Mexico Department of Justice, this marks the first time a U.S. state has prevailed at trial against a major technology company for claims related to harm to children. The jury determined that Meta’s platforms facilitated contact between minors and adult predators and exposed young users to harmful content, including material related to eating disorders and self-harm.

Penalty Falls Below State’s Initial Request

New Mexico initially proposed penalties of up to approximately $2.2 billion during the trial. The jury instead awarded $375 million, a lower amount, but still the statutory maximum based on the violations established in court.

According to Business Insider, the lawsuit was filed in 2023 by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, who argued that Meta prioritized profits over child safety and failed to enforce its own minimum age requirements.

During closing arguments, attorneys for the state said Meta did not act transparently about risks to young users and failed to address known safety concerns on its platforms. Testimony also indicated that recommendation systems surfaced harmful or sensational content to teenagers and that underage users were able to access the platforms despite minimum age policies.

Meta Plans to Appeal the Verdict

Meta has said it will appeal the decision and defended its safety efforts in a statement following the ruling. According to Business Insider, a Meta spokesperson said the company “respectfully disagree[s] with the verdict” and highlighted ongoing investments in safety tools and moderation systems.

The company pointed to measures such as teen account settings and parental control features as part of its broader safety framework. Meta has also argued that identifying and removing harmful content and bad actors remains a complex challenge at scale.

Case Centers on Platform Design and Safety Claims

The lawsuit focused in part on how Meta’s platform design influences user behavior and exposure to content. According to The Verge, the jury found that Meta willfully violated New Mexico law by misleading users about product safety and engaging in unconscionable trade practices.

The state presented evidence that it created decoy accounts posing as minors and received a high volume of contact attempts from adult users, which it argued demonstrated systemic safety failures. The case also examined how platform features and recommendation systems contribute to user engagement patterns among younger audiences.

Additional Legal Proceedings Expected

The verdict does not conclude the broader legal process. A separate bench trial is scheduled to address additional claims, including public nuisance, with the state seeking further financial penalties and court-mandated changes to Meta’s platforms.

Proposed remedies include stronger age verification systems, removal of predatory accounts, and additional protections for minors in private or encrypted communications.

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