Meta has indicated it may withdraw its applications from New Mexico if a court rules in favor of the state's demands. This warning follows a jury's decision last month that found the company liable for $375 million in damages due to its inadequate protection of child users against online predators.
The upcoming bench trial, set for May 4, will see NM District Judge Bryan Biedscheid evaluate whether Meta has created a "public nuisance" and if it should finance state programs to address the issue. The New Mexico Department of Justice (NM DOJ) will also push for Meta to implement significant changes, including age verification and removing predatory users from its platform.
In response, Meta characterized the state's requests as excessively demanding, arguing that fulfilling them could necessitate the complete withdrawal of its apps from the state. NM Attorney General Raúl Torrez criticized this position, asserting that Meta has the capability to make the necessary changes and has previously adapted its operations in response to various pressures.