Meta Hit with $375 Million Verdict in Historic New Mexico Child Safety Trial
A New Mexico jury finds Meta violated consumer protection laws regarding child safety, ordering $375 million in penalties.
By: AXL Media
Published: Mar 25, 2026, 6:27 AM EDT
Source: Reuters
The Verdict: A Deeper Look at the Numbers
The jury concluded that Meta knowingly engaged in deceptive and unconscionable trade practices, taking advantage of users' lack of knowledge regarding platform risks.
Total Violations: 75,000 specific instances of state law violations.
Penalty per Violation: $5,000.
Total Damages: $375 million (though the state originally sought over $2 billion).
Next Phase: A second phase of the trial in May 2026 will address "public nuisance" claims, where the state will seek mandatory changes to Meta's platform design and additional financial penalties.
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