Meta Faces 543.7 Billion Won Compensation Crisis Over Child Safety Negligence... Plans to Appeal

Meta pays huge damages over child safety issues. The jury found Meta violated New Mexico law, ending a trial that accused Meta of misleading consumers about safety and enabling child exploitation. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez called the outcome a “historic victory for children and families,” criticizing Meta for prioritizing profits over safety.

The seven-week trial charged Meta with violating unfair business practices law. During the proceedings, internal Meta documents and testimonies from former employees highlighted the company’s neglect of teen safety—ignoring warnings and responding passively to safety concerns.

As part of the investigation, the New Mexico Department of Justice created fake child accounts to infiltrate Facebook and Instagram. The investigation revealed two adult men attempted to sexually exploit these accounts exposed to inappropriate content; they have now been arrested.

The jury confirmed thousands of violations, each punishable by up to $5,000. The total fines amount to $375 million (about 5.4375 trillion Korean won), roughly one-fifth of the prosecution’s requested amount.

Meta claims the ruling is unfair and plans to appeal. A Meta spokesperson stated that the company is committed to user safety but faces practical challenges in identifying and removing violations.