Meta to pay $375 million in New Mexico trial over child harm, exploitation claims

Watch Meta to pay $375 million in New Mexico trial over child harm, exploitation claims - Straight Arrow News on Dailymotion

Transcript

00:02In a landmark verdict, a New Mexico jury has found Meta knowingly harmed children's mental health

00:09and failed to act when it knew about sexual exploitation on its platforms.

00:14Did Meta violate the Unfair Practices Act by engaging in an unconscionable trade practice?

00:20The jury's answer is yes.

00:23Did Meta act willfully by engaging in an unconscionable trade practice?

00:28The jury's answer is yes.

00:31After a nearly seven-week trial, jurors sided with New Mexico prosecutors who argued that Meta,

00:36which of course used to be Facebook, put profits ahead of safety.

00:40The state says the company made false and misleading statements and designed its platforms to be addictive,

00:47exposing young users to harmful content tied to eating disorders, self-harm, and sexual exploitation.

00:54Prosecutors also argued those design choices enabled child sexual exploitation.

01:00Meta must now pay $375 million in civil penalties to the state.

01:05This is historic. It's the first of its kind in the entire country.

01:09And I'm really excited that we can be an example for the rest of this country and frankly for people

01:15all around the world

01:16that are concerned about big tech and its impact on our kids.

01:20Meta says it will appeal, writing, quote, we respectfully disagree with the verdict.

01:25The company adds it will continue to defend its record on protecting teens online.

01:30A second phase of the trial is set for May when a judge will decide whether Meta created a public

01:35nuisance

01:35and should fund programs to address the harm.

01:40A second phase of the trial is set for May when a judge will decide whether or not be a

01:40judge or not be a judge or not be a judge or not be a judge or not be a

01:41judge