New Mexico Court Orders Meta to Pay $567 Million and Implement Teen Safety Restrictions
A court in New Mexico has ordered social media giant Meta to pay an additional $567 million fine in a legal case concerning platform addiction and harms to children. The decision adds to an earlier $375 million fine levied in March, bringing Meta’s total penalty in the state proceedings to $942 million. In addition to monetary penalties, the court mandated sweeping operational changes to protect underage users on Meta’s platforms within New Mexico.
What Happened
The New Mexico ruling concluded that Meta’s platforms significantly contributed to a youth mental health crisis and constituted a public nuisance in the state. The court order observed that a substantial number of residents experience harm due to risks including sexual exploitation, educational disruption, and negative mental health outcomes.
Alongside the financial penalties, the judge instructed Meta to make specific technical adjustments for minor users in New Mexico. These measures include removing public Like counts for users under 18 unless parental or guardian consent is provided, halting push notifications to underage accounts between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., and capping usage for minors at 90 hours per month (averaging roughly three hours per day).
Key Highlights
- Total Financial Penalties: A new $567 million fine increases Meta’s total penalties in the New Mexico case to $942 million.
- Metric Restrictions: Like counts must be hidden for minors unless approved by a parent or guardian.
- Notification Curfews: Underage users in New Mexico cannot receive push notifications between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
- Usage Limits: Platform time for underage accounts must be restricted to 90 hours monthly.
- Legal Context: The ruling follows a separate legal defeat for Meta in Los Angeles over addictive patterns, amid further ongoing lawsuits across the United States.
Why This Matters
The judgment establishes concrete operational requirements for social media platforms rather than solely applying financial fines. State Attorney General Raul Torrez noted that the judgment aims to hold the company accountable for harms affecting children, families, and schools. While the judge acknowledged Meta is not the only platform influencing youth mental health, the order determined that its services play a significant part in the issue and required the company to abate the public nuisance.
What to Watch Next
Meta has announced that it plans to appeal the court’s judgment. Company spokesperson Andy Stone stated that Meta remains confident in its track record of protecting teens online and intends to defend itself against the allegations. Additionally, Meta continues to face other major legal challenges across the country, including a consolidated lawsuit brought by 33 states in an Oakland, California federal court, as well as individual state cases from jurisdictions such as Tennessee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the total fines Meta faces in the New Mexico lawsuit?
The total fine stands at $942 million, which includes the recent $567 million order and a previous $375 million penalty levied in March.
What platform changes did the court order for minors?
Meta must hide Like counts for users under 18 without parental consent, pause overnight push notifications from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and limit monthly platform usage for underage users to 90 hours.
How has Meta responded to the ruling?
Meta stated it will appeal the decision, maintaining that it works to keep users safe and will continue to defend its safety record.
Source: TechCrunch