Child safety failures: Meta ordered to pay $375 million

 

 

 

PP Cherian

Santa Fe (New Mexico): A New Mexico jury has ordered Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to pay a fine of $375 million (approximately Rs 3,100 crore) after finding that it failed to protect children from exploitation. The jury found that Meta willfully violated the state's consumer protection laws.

In an undercover investigation using a fake profile of a 13-year-old girl, the New Mexico Attorney General had found that the profile was constantly receiving messages and images from child abusers.

The court observed that Meta ignored child safety for profit and misled the public about the safety of its apps.

A Meta spokesperson said that it disagreed with the court's ruling and would appeal it. The company also claimed that it is committed to the safety of teenagers.

In the next phase of the trial, which will be held on May 4, the court will decide whether to set up a special fund for child safety and whether to change the design of the apps.

The ruling is considered one of the biggest setbacks for tech giants globally regarding child safety.