A New Mexico jury just handed Meta a $375 million penalty, ruling the company willfully violated state law by misleading users about product safety and engaging in unconscionable trade practices. The verdict came just one day after closing arguments wrapped, with the jury deciding against Meta on every single count. While the state had pushed for nearly $2 billion in penalties, the jury awarded the maximum $5,000 per violation across 37,500 violations spanning two counts. It's a landmark decision that could reshape how social platforms handle child safety disclosures.
Meta just lost big in New Mexico court. A jury ruled the social media giant willfully violated state consumer protection laws by misleading users about how safe its platforms really are, slapping the company with a $375 million penalty that landed with stunning speed - just 24 hours after lawyers finished their closing arguments.
The verdict hits Meta on two key fronts. Jurors found the company guilty of misleading consumers about product safety and engaging in what the law calls an "unconscionable trade practice." They awarded the maximum penalty of $5,000 for each of 37,500 violations across both counts, according to The Verge's reporting. That's the steepest penalty allowed under New Mexico law, even though prosecutors had been gunning for closer to $2 billion.
New Mexico's case centered on allegations that Meta didn't just fail to protect kids - it actively misled parents and users about the dangers lurking on Facebook and Instagram. State attorneys argued the company knew child predators were using its platforms but continued to market them as safe spaces while doing little to stop the abuse. The jury apparently agreed with every point prosecutors made, deciding against Meta on all counts.
The speed of this verdict is notable. Complex corporate liability cases often send juries into days of deliberation, but this panel reached its decision in record time. That suggests either the evidence was overwhelming or the jury found Meta's defense unconvincing - possibly both. The company's internal documents and communications likely played a role, as they often do in cases involving platform safety.
