Facebook and Instagram ran content sexualizing minors next to corporate ads, lawsuit says

Filing claims Meta did not adequately respond to Walmart and Match Group's complaints of deeply disturbing' images and videos

Facebook and Instagram have been profiting from placing corporate adverts from companies such as Walmart and Match Group next to content potentially promoting child sexual exploitation, a legal filing alleges.

The accusation is the latest in an explosive lawsuit initiated in December by Raul Torrez, the New Mexico attorney general, against Meta claiming the company enabled adults to find, message and groom minors" for sexual exploitation. The suit follows a Guardian investigation in April, which revealed that the tech giant is struggling to prevent people from using its platforms to buy and sell children for sex.