Brandon Fletcher
In certain situations, a threat can appear genuine and alarming, while in others, it may come across as a promotional piece for tourism in New Mexico. Recent court documents, as reported by SourceNM, reveal that Meta has issued a warning indicating that if a judge rules in favor of the New Mexico Department of Justice during an upcoming courtroom trial, the company might be compelled to discontinue access to its applications for users residing in the state. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez has characterized Meta’s warning about the potential app withdrawal as nothing more than a “PR stunt,” suggesting that the company’s threats lack substance and are primarily intended for public relations.
In a significant legal decision last month, a jury in Santa Fe found Meta responsible for $375 million in damages due to the company’s failure to adequately protect child users from online predators. This warning from the tech giant comes just ahead of the second phase of the trial, set to commence next week, which will further scrutinize the company’s practices and accountability.
During the bench trial scheduled for May 4, New Mexico District Judge Bryan Biedscheid will evaluate whether Meta’s actions have constituted a “public nuisance.” If so, the judge may mandate that the company contribute financially to various state programs addressing this issue. Additionally, attorneys from the New Mexico Department of Justice intend to argue that Meta should implement crucial changes to its platform. These changes would include establishing age verification systems, eliminating the presence of predators, and enhancing protections for minors against encrypted communications that may inadvertently shield harmful individuals.
Meta’s recent response, which was unsealed on Thursday, claims that the demands put forth by the state are “so broad and burdensome that if implemented, it might force Meta to withdraw its apps entirely.” The statement further argues that it is neither economically viable nor technically feasible for Meta to develop separate applications exclusively for users in New Mexico. The company also contends that the state lacks the jurisdiction to enforce its desired changes and asserts that compliance would infringe upon free speech rights.
In a statement provided to Engadget, Attorney General Torrez rejected Meta’s assertions regarding the impracticality of the proposed solutions. He stated, “We know Meta has the ability to make these changes. For years, the company has rewritten its own rules, redesigned its products, and even bent to the demands of dictators to preserve market access. This is not about technological capability. Meta simply refuses to place the safety of children ahead of engagement, advertising revenue, and profit,” underscoring the ongoing tension between corporate interests and the imperative of child safety online.
Daniel Mercer
