A New Mexico jury has found Meta liable for violating state consumer protection laws in a high-profile trial over child exploitation and safety issues. The jury ruled against Meta on every count and imposed a $375 million fine, the maximum penalty under law. The case centered on allegations that Meta knew its platforms endangered children but failed to implement adequate safety measures.

During the weeks-long trial, jurors reviewed internal documents showing Meta executives discussed safety problems like sextortion and grooming while publicly claiming to prioritize child safety. Prosecutors presented research on teen mental health issues and email exchanges demonstrating awareness of platform harms. Meta spokesperson Andy Stone said the company would appeal, maintaining it works hard to keep users safe despite the verdict.

This verdict marks a significant victory for child safety advocates and represents one of the first major legal defeats for Meta over platform safety. New Mexico's attorney general called it a "historic victory" for families affected by Meta's alleged safety lapses. The case isn't over - a separate bench trial on public nuisance claims begins in May, and Meta faces additional lawsuits from dozens of states over teen mental health harms.