In a landmark case out of New Mexico, a jury just handed down a $375 million verdict against Meta—and let’s just say, it’s not a great day to be in the “we totally care about safety” PR department.

The parent company of Facebook and Instagram was found to have violated state consumer protection laws after failing to adequately protect children from predators on its platforms. The lawsuit, brought by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, accused Meta of knowing about the risks—and doing far less than advertised.

According to Torrez, this wasn’t just negligence. He argued that Meta executives were fully aware their platforms could harm children, ignored internal warnings, and then told the public everything was under control. You know, the usual “trust us, we’ve got it handled” approach—until a jury takes a closer look.

The jury clearly wasn’t buying it.

Calling the decision a “historic victory,” Torrez said the verdict sends a message that companies can’t keep putting profits ahead of kids’ safety. And for once, it wasn’t just talk—there were real consequences attached.

This case is believed to be the first time a state has actually won at trial against a major tech company over claims tied to harm against children. That alone makes it a big deal, especially in an era where Big Tech often seems untouchable.

And maybe—just maybe—this is the beginning of something bigger.

Because if there’s one thing this verdict shows, it’s that accountability isn’t off the table anymore. And for families who’ve been raising concerns for years, that’s a long-overdue step in the right direction.