New Mexico Judge Orders Meta Child Safeguards, Fines $567 Million

A New Mexico judge has ordered Meta Platforms Inc. to implement new child safeguards and levied a $567 million fine against the company.

First Judicial District Judge Bryan Biedscheid issued the ruling late Thursday, declaring Meta a public nuisance for its role in harming children's mental health and exposing them to exploitation. The total fines against the company for these issues now exceed $1 billion. Advocates expressed hope that other courts across the country would follow New Mexico's lead.

The judge's order provides a potential pathway for future legal challenges against Meta concerning child protection. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez characterized the judgment as historic and wide-ranging, while also noting limitations imposed by older laws on his office's ability to safeguard children online. The ruling comes amid increasing legal, regulatory, and public pressure on Meta to enhance protections for young users.