Meta told to pay $375m for misleading users over child safety

A court in New Mexico has ordered Meta to pay $375m (£279m) for misleading users over the safety of its platforms for children.

A jury found that Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, was liable for the way in which its platforms endangered children and exposed them to sexually explicit material and contact with sexual predators.

New Mexico Attorney General Ruben Torrez said the verdict is “historic” and marks the first time that a state has successfully sued Meta over child safety issues.

A spokeswoman for Meta, led by chairman and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg, said the company disagrees with the verdict and intends to appeal.