A New Mexico court judge ruled on Thursday that Meta must pay an additional $567 million in fines, on top of the $375 million levied in March, for alleged harms related to social media use by minors. The total fines now amount to $942 million. The court also mandated that Meta alter its platform operations in the state, including removing Like counts and restricting push notifications to underaged users between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. The company is also required to limit monthly usage to 90 hours, which equates to roughly three hours per day. The ruling highlights the court’s concern over the risks of sexual exploitation, interference with education, and adverse mental health outcomes linked to Meta’s platforms. The judge acknowledged that Meta is not the only platform contributing to a mental health crisis among youth, but emphasized that its platforms play a significant role in the issue. The court ruled that Meta has caused a significant 'public nuisance' in New Mexico and must take steps to mitigate it. Source: techcrunch
Meta has announced it will appeal the decision, stating it works to keep users safe and has been transparent about the challenges of identifying harmful content. A company spokesperson, Andy Stone, said, 'We remain confident in our record of protecting teens online and will continue to defend ourselves against claims that misrepresent the facts.' Meanwhile, state Attorney General Raul Torrez criticized Meta for prioritizing engagement and profit over child safety, stating, 'Today, Meta is paying for that choice. This judgment holds the company accountable for the damage it caused to our children, our families, and our schools, and it forces real changes to how Meta operates in New Mexico.' Source: techcrunch
The ruling follows a similar loss in Los Angeles in March, where a court also ruled against Meta for creating addictive patterns. The company is currently facing multiple lawsuits nationwide, including a joint lawsuit by 33 states consolidated in an Oakland, California federal court. Other states, such as Tennessee, have also initiated their own cases against Meta. Source: techcrunch
