A New Mexico judge has ordered Meta Platforms Inc. to pay $567 million in a lawsuit alleging that its social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, facilitated child exploitation. The ruling, issued on August 6, 2026, adds to a $375 million judgment Meta was ordered to pay in the same case in March 2026.
The lawsuit, filed by the state of New Mexico, accused Meta of failing to protect minors from online predators and of allowing its platforms to be used for the distribution of child sexual abuse material. The state argued that Meta's algorithms recommended such content to users, exacerbating the problem.
Meta has said it will appeal the decision, calling the damages excessive and arguing that it has invested heavily in safety measures. The company has previously stated that it uses artificial intelligence and human reviewers to detect and remove harmful content.
The total judgment of $942 million is among the largest ever awarded in a child exploitation case against a tech company. The funds are intended to support victims and fund prevention programs in New Mexico.
