New Mexico judge hit Meta with $567 million child-safety penalty
What's new: The order also requires teen time limits, warning labels and tighter age checks in New Mexico as Meta prepares an appeal.
A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million and adopt new child-safety measures after finding the company failed to protect young users on Facebook and Instagram. The ruling by Judge Bryan Biedscheid adds to a $375 million penalty imposed in March, bringing the state's total award to $942 million. Biedscheid directed Meta to fund treatment and prevention programs tied to mental health and sexual exploitation harms, with $420 million set aside for clinical and behavioral health services. He also ordered safeguards for users under 18, including a 90-hour monthly time limit, restrictions on AI chatbots and stronger age-assurance tools. Meta said it will appeal.