Judge Rules Meta Caused "Public Nuisance," Orders $567 Million Payment
A New Mexico judge has ordered Meta to pay $567 million to fund a program addressing the "public nuisance" created by its social media platforms. This ruling adds to a previous $375 million in civil penalties against the company.
A New Mexico judge yesterday ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a fund aimed at alleviating the "public nuisance" attributed to its social media services. The payment is designated for youth mental health care and is in addition to $375 million in civil penalties previously imposed by a jury in the same case.
New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez sued Meta in 2023, alleging its platforms failed to protect children from exploitation and misled parents about app safety. A jury found in March 2026 that Meta violated state consumer protection laws, leading to the initial civil penalties.
The recent ruling by Judge Bryan Biedscheid followed a bench trial, which served as Phase 2 of the legal proceedings against the owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Phase 1 had focused on consumer protection claims and civil penalties, while Phase 2 addressed the state's request for abatement based on the public nuisance allegation.
Meta reported $60.8 billion in revenue and $15.85 billion in net income in the second quarter of 2026. This judgment highlights ongoing legal scrutiny over the impact of social media on youth mental health and platform accountability.