Jury Rules Against Meta In Child Exploitation Case

A jury has found Meta Platforms liable in a major child safety case, ruling that the company failed to adequately protect young users on its platforms and misled the public about associated risks.

The verdict, delivered in New Mexico, orders Meta to pay US$ 375 million in damages.

The case stems from a lawsuit filed by New Mexico Attorney General’s Office, which accused Meta of creating conditions that allowed child predators to operate on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

Jurors concluded that the company engaged in unfair and deceptive trade practices and acted in ways deemed unconscionable under state law.

The trial included evidence from an undercover investigation in which officials created fake accounts posing as minors.

These accounts reportedly received sexually explicit content and solicitations, leading to arrests in some cases. Prosecutors argued that Meta failed to implement adequate safeguards to prevent such interactions.

Meta denied the allegations and said it plans to appeal the ruling.

"We respectfully disagree with the verdict and will appeal," CNN quoted a company spokesperson as saying.

The decision adds to growing legal pressure on social media companies over how their platforms are designed and how effectively they protect vulnerable users.

During the trial, prosecutors argued that Meta’s systems, particularly its recommendation algorithms, could inadvertently connect predators with minors.

Meta, however, maintained that it has invested heavily in safety measures. A spokesperson told CNN, "We work hard to keep people safe on our platforms and are clear about the challenges of identifying and removing bad actors or harmful content."

The case also raised concerns about encrypted messaging features, which prosecutors argued could make it harder for law enforcement to detect harmful activity. Meta has indicated it may roll back certain encryption features on Instagram.

Testimony from former employees suggested that internal concerns about safety were not fully addressed.

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez said in a statement to CNBC, "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."

The New Mexico case is part of a broader wave of litigation targeting major tech platforms.

Similar lawsuits across the United States are examining whether social media companies have knowingly designed addictive or harmful features, particularly for younger users.

Legal experts say these cases could reshape how platforms are regulated, especially if courts begin holding companies accountable not just for content, but for design decisions that influence user behavior.