New Mexico Prosecutors Seek Major Changes to Meta Platforms Over Child Safety Concerns

Santa Fe: Prosecutors in New Mexico have called for fundamental changes to the social media apps and algorithms of Meta Platforms to improve child safety. The demand came during the second phase of a trial related to allegations that platforms like Instagram pose a threat to public safety.

Opening statements began Monday in a three-week bench trial that will determine whether Meta’s platforms—including Facebook and WhatsApp—constitute a public nuisance.

In the first phase of the trial, a jury had ordered Meta to pay a civil penalty of $375 million. The penalty was based on allegations that the company concealed known risks related to child sexual exploitation and negative impacts on children’s mental health on its platforms.

Prosecutors are now pushing for structural reforms, including stronger default privacy settings, improved age verification systems, and enhanced monitoring to prevent child exploitation.

Meta has said it will appeal the jury’s decision. The company also warned that it may completely withdraw its services from New Mexico if forced to comply with what it described as impractical orders and massive financial penalties.