New Mexico’s trial against Meta begins in Santa Fe
By Alyssa Munoz
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SANTA FE, New Mexico (KOAT) — Opening statements are set to begin in Santa Fe for New Mexico’s trial against Meta, the company that owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, with Attorney General Raul Torrez alleging the company has failed to protect children from online sexual exploitation.
The state’s case is based on an undercover investigation in which agents created fake social media profiles posing as children to track sexual solicitations and observed Meta’s response.
“We took three individuals in custody after they thought they were going to be meeting up with kids at a motel out in Gallup. It turned out that those individuals had already been flagged inside the company for having inappropriate interactions with children, and yet they were allowed to stay on the platform. It’s exactly that kind of corporate misbehavior and misconduct that we have to correct,” Torrez said.
In the lawsuit, Torrez argues that Meta has created a “breeding ground” for predators targeting kids. Meta denies these claims, stating it has spent years developing safety tools to protect younger users.
“In much the same way that everyday users are connected to things that they’re interested in, maybe it’s a commercial product or a trip that an advertiser might want them to take, that same engine that connects people with their interests also sadly connects predators on the platform with children,” Torrez said.
KOAT legal expert John Day said, “It’s going to be a very important trial that all eyes of the country and the tech companies, especially in other states, are going to be watching to see what happens in New Mexico and in Santa Fe.”
Torrez is advocating for stronger safeguards, such as real age verification and rules preventing unrelated adults from contacting minors without being asked. This trial is the first standalone case, as 40 other states have also filed lawsuits against Meta. The company maintains that it has safeguards for children and that these instances are exceptions rather than the norm.
Day said the trial is expected to last about six weeks.
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