Meta faces new trial that could force platform changes
A trial starting in New Mexico could lead a judge to make sweeping changes to the way Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp operate; Meta warned that the move could force him to withdraw from the state.
The lawsuit, which will be heard before a judge in Santa Fe, stems from a lawsuit filed by New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez (Democrat) who accuses the social media giant of designing its products to addict young users and failing to protect children from sexual exploitation on its platforms.
At the heart of the hearing is whether Meta’s platforms create a “public nuisance” under New Mexico law.
This finding will allow the judge to make broad relief orders aimed at preventing alleged harm to young users.
The case is being watched closely as states, municipalities and school districts across the country pursue similar claims for industry-level change.
Monday’s hearing marks the second phase of the trial in New Mexico. In March, a jury ruled that Meta violated the state’s consumer protection law by misrepresenting the safety of Facebook and Instagram for young users. The company was decided to pay compensation of 375 million dollars.
Torrez’s office is expected to seek both billions of dollars more in damages and an order requiring Meta to make significant changes to its platforms for New Mexico users, according to court filings.
Meta said the state has already addressed many of its concerns and has taken comprehensive measures to ensure its young users are safe.
The company said in court filings last week that many of the changes Torrez’s office wants are impossible to comply with and could force it to withdraw from the state altogether.
“The New Mexico Attorney General’s focus on a single platform is a misguided strategy that ignores hundreds of other apps that young people use every day,” a Meta spokesperson said in a statement ahead of the hearing. he said.
“Rather than providing comprehensive protections, the state’s proposed mandates violate parental rights and inhibit free expression for all New Mexicans.”
New Mexico’s case is among a growing number of lawsuits accusing Meta and other social media companies of intentionally designing products that would create addiction in young people.
New Mexico said it plans to ask the judge to order Meta to make changes, including verifying users’ ages, redesigning its algorithm to encourage quality content for minors and ending autoplay and infinite scrolling for minors.
