Meta says it may withdraw its apps from New Mexico if judge agrees to the state's demands

Meta has warned that it may be forced to withdraw its apps from New Mexico if a judge rules in favor of the state’s demands in an upcoming bench trial. This warning comes after a Santa Fe jury held Meta liable for $375 million in damages for failing to protect child users from online predators. The trial’s second phase, set to begin soon, will determine whether Meta caused a "public nuisance" and should be required to fund related state programs, as well as implement significant changes to its platform. The New Mexico Department of Justice (NM DOJ) is seeking several measures from Meta, including age verification, removal of predators, and protections for minors from encrypted communications that shield bad actors. Meta’s court filings describe these demands as overly broad and burdensome, arguing that complying would force the company to withdraw its apps entirely from the state. Meta contends that creating separate versions of its apps for New Mexico users is neither economically nor technically feasible, and claims that the state lacks the authority to impose such changes, which it says could violate free speech rights. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez dismissed Meta’s threat as a public relations stunt, emphasizing that the company has the technological capability to implement the requested safeguards. Torrez pointed out that Meta has previously altered its platforms and policies to comply with various demands worldwide, including those from authoritarian regimes, suggesting that the company’s resistance is motivated by prioritizing profit and advertising revenue over child safety. The case highlights growing tensions between Big Tech companies and state governments over online safety and regulatory authority. The outcome could set a precedent for how social media platforms are held accountable for protecting minors and managing harmful content, potentially influencing similar legal battles in other jurisdictions.