Meta Considers Cutting Access to Social Media in New Mexico

The social media giant, Meta, is contemplating shutting down its platforms in New Mexico. This decision comes as a response to the state’s legal moves pushing for enhanced child safety measures on these platforms.

Recently, a jury determined that Meta misled consumers regarding the safety measures in place on its platforms, particularly in relation to protecting children from predators. As a result, the state was awarded $375 million in damages. Now, the next phase of the trial will delve into what actions Meta’s parent company must undertake to rectify these concerns.

One of New Mexico’s key demands is that Meta achieves a 99% accuracy rate when verifying users’ ages to ensure only those over 13 can access the platform. However, Meta has rejected this proposal, claiming it’s unattainable and that complying would impose an “impossible obligation.”

In a filing, Meta’s legal team expressed that New Mexico’s requirements are overly broad and burdensome, potentially forcing the company to completely withdraw its app from the state rather than meet the new regulations. They argue it’s neither economically viable nor realistic to create separate applications just for New Mexico’s residents.

Furthermore, Meta feels singled out in comparison to other social media platforms that are also popular among younger audiences. The company has hinted at a likely appeal against the $375 million judgment.

New Mexico has pushed back against Meta’s claims, asserting that the safeguards it is requesting are feasible. Attorney General Raul Torrez criticized Meta, stating the company shows little regard for children’s safety, emphasizing that Meta routinely alters its operations for market access when it suits them. He underlined that the firm should be able to make the necessary changes, as they have demonstrated this capability in the past.

Additionally, New Mexico is advocating for safer implementation of Meta’s algorithms. This includes not prioritizing user engagement over child safety, imposing restrictions on end-to-end encryption for minors, and enforcing significant penalties for adults who exploit children on the platforms.