Source: Fortune
Summary
A landmark trial in New Mexico has reached its final stages, with prosecutors accusing Meta of misleading users about the safety of its platforms for children. The case, which began in 2023, alleges that Meta prioritized profits over safety, violating state consumer protection laws. Prosecutors claim that Meta’s algorithms recommended harmful content to teenagers and failed to enforce its minimum user age of 13. Meta disputes the claims, saying it incorporates protections for teenagers and weeds out harmful content. The trial’s outcome could impact thousands of similar lawsuits against social media companies.
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The numbers tell one story.
Meta is accused of prioritizing profits over safety, with prosecutors claiming that the company’s algorithms recommended harmful content to teenagers. The trial has heard testimony from scores of witnesses, including top Meta officials and whistleblowers. Meta’s attorneys dispute the claims, saying the company incorporates protections for teenagers and weeds out harmful content. The case could result in a civil penalty of over $2 billion against Meta. The trial’s outcome will be decided by a jury, with a second phase to follow on whether Meta created a public nuisance.
The strategy enters a familiar phase: a tech giant accused of prioritizing profits over safety, with a jury to decide the outcome.
Author: Evan Null
