tech
'It started with a tipoff': how a Guardian investigation exposed child sex trafficking on Facebook and Instagram
Meta has just lost a multimillion-dollar legal battle over its failure to prevent children being sold on its platforms. Here’s how we uncovered evidence that became part of the case against it
TL;DR
- Child sexual abuse trafficking surged on Facebook and Instagram during the pandemic, with predators using private features to buy and sell children.
- Evidence from court documents, former moderators, and law enforcement indicated Meta's platforms were used for trafficking, with little detection or action from the company.
- A Guardian investigation was cited in legal proceedings, contributing to New Mexico's lawsuit against Meta, which resulted in a $375 million penalty.
- Meta faces ongoing criticism and further legal challenges regarding its child safety measures, including the encryption of Messenger and platform features that may harm young users.
- The article highlights cases like Kristen Galvan, a teen trafficked and murdered, and Maya, a 15-year-old who died after connecting with a sex buyer on Instagram.