WASHINGTON (TNND) — Meta has been lobbying members of Congress to get legal immunity from social media lawsuits alleging harm to children.
Earlier this year, a jury in New Mexico slapped Meta with $375 million in civil penalties, arguing that the website failed to protect minors from sexual predators.
“Meta is showing the world how little it cares about child safety” Attorney General Raúl Torrez said in a press release following Meta’s threat. “Meta’s refusal to follow the laws that protect our kids tells you everything you need to know about this company and the character of its leaders. We know Meta has the ability to make these changes.”
A Los Angeles jury also found Meta negligent in a case where it was alleged Instagram and YouTube harmed minors in a way the platforms were designed.
Meta is proposing they be. “immune from suit or liability under state law with respect to all claims for loss caused by, arising out of, relating to, or resulting from the safety or privacy of individuals under the age of eighteen online or otherwise related to the provisions,” of the Kids Online Safety Act according to Fox Business.
The Kids Online Safety Act passed in the Senate in 2024, but failed in the House.
A spokesperson for Meta told Reuters that the provision wouldn’t get rid of existing lawsuits and the immunity wouldn’t cover everything.
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
“Instead, it establishes uniform national standards for online youth safety, ensuring these critical issues are governed by comprehensive federal legislation, not plaintiffs’ lawyers or patchwork state legislation,” Stephanie Otway told the news outlet.
