Jury in New Mexico orders Meta to pay $375 million in child exploitation case

SANTA FE, N.M. (NBC, KYMA) - A jury has ordered Meta to pay $375 million in a New Mexico trial over child exploitation and user safety claims.

After a six week trial, the jury began deliberating Monday and delivered their decision Tuesday, finding Meta willfully violated New Mexico's Unfair Practices Act.

The civil trial centered on allegations that Meta violated state consumer protections laws and misled residents about the safety of apps like Facebook and Instagram.

Meta had denied the allegations, saying it has extensive safeguards in place to protect younger users.

The trial marks the first jury verdict on these claims against the social media company.

Separately, Meta is facing multiple lawsuits accusing it and other social media companies of intentionally designing their products to be addictive to young people, leading to a nationwide mental health crisis.