|
Neubauer Artists LLC Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... |
It has taken the child safety debate to a new level. In a case heard in New Mexico, the company was fined a total of $942 million for failing to adequately protect children from platform-related risks. The ruling also mandates that Meta make comprehensive changes to its policies regarding users under the age of 18.
A landmark US court ruling against Meta has taken the child safety debate to a new level. In a case heard in New Mexico, the company was fined a total of $942 million for failing to adequately protect children from platform-related risks. The ruling also mandates that Meta make comprehensive changes to its policies regarding users under the age of 18.
In a case heard in New Mexico, the court ruled that Meta had failed to adequately inform the public about the negative effects on children. As a result, in addition to the previously imposed $375 million fine, the company was ordered to pay an additional $567 million in damages. This brings Meta’s total liability to $942 million.
The decision marks the highest financial penalty ever imposed on a social media company for violations related to child safety.
Harsh criticism from the court.
The court ruling likened Meta’s platforms to a “factory” producing content and advertisements. The reasoning stated that the psychological harm and risk of sexual abuse to children constituted a “pollution” that needed to be eliminated from society.
The judge also emphasized that the negative effects of digital platforms are not limited to the internet environment, but also place a significant burden on families, educational institutions, the healthcare system, and law enforcement.
The compensation will be transferred to a special fund.
According to the court ruling, the additional $567 million in compensation that Meta will pay will be placed in a special fund established to mitigate harm to children.
Of the fund, $420 million will be allocated to funding behavioral health services and specialist clinics, while the remaining resources will be used for training and awareness campaigns for teachers and healthcare professionals.
New rules for young users.
The decision mandates that Meta implement various measures to protect its child and young users.
Accordingly, like counts will not be displayed on accounts belonging to those under 18 years of age. Notifications cannot be sent between 22:00 and 07:00 on weekdays, and between 08:00 and 15:00, which are considered school hours.
Instagram and Facebook will implement a 90-hour monthly usage limit for underage users. Additionally, adult accounts will be prevented from sending messages to children, child accounts will not be recommended to adult users, and the sharing of nudity will be completely prohibited.
Meta is appealing.
In a lawsuit filed by the New Mexico government in 2023, it was alleged that Meta’s recommendation algorithms directed young users to harmful content and interaction with individuals at risk of sexual abuse, thus violating the state’s Unfair Practices Act.
Following the decision, Meta released a statement saying it did not accept the court’s assessments and would appeal the decision to a higher court. The company argued that it had made significant investments in the safety of young users and would continue its efforts to protect its platform.
Meta’s legal process will not end there. The company faces thousands of similar lawsuits across the US, and in the coming period, it will be tried in a new case in California, involving approximately thirty state attorneys general, on charges of violating children’s privacy.