A US judge in New Mexico has ordered Meta to pay $567 million in damages following a ruling that labeled the company’s platform practices as a public nuisance. This penalty adds to a previous $375 million fine in the same case, bringing the total amount to $942 million. Judge Bryan Biedscheid compared the social media giant to a factory, describing the psychological harm and exploitation of children as pollution that requires immediate abatement.
The court order mandates that these funds support clinical and behavioral health programs for children. A significant portion of the judgment focuses on preventative measures. Meta must now ensure that accounts belonging to users under 18 are not recommended to adults and block adults from messaging minors. Additional restrictions include the removal of like counts for minors, time-based limits on push notifications, and a cap on cumulative monthly usage time.
Meta responded to the ruling by stating it will appeal. A company spokesperson argued that they maintain high standards for user safety and remain transparent regarding the difficulties of removing harmful content. Despite the company’s objections, this case represents the first time a court has formally designated a social media firm as a public nuisance. Legal experts suggest this verdict may signal a broader shift in how authorities approach accountability for online platforms.
This New Mexico decision arrives as Meta faces mounting legal pressure elsewhere. A separate, large-scale trial involving attorneys general from nearly three dozen states begins next week in California. These proceedings collectively highlight the intensity of current efforts to regulate how algorithms interact with younger users. As the legal landscape shifts, companies are finding that past business practices related to user engagement are under unprecedented levels of scrutiny.