A court case opening Monday in New Mexico could significantly alter how Meta Platforms runs Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, with the company warning it might withdraw from the state if strict changes are enforced.
The proceedings, taking place in Santa Fe, follow a lawsuit brought by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez. He alleges that Meta deliberately engineered its platforms to attract and keep younger users engaged while failing to adequately protect them from sexual exploitation.
A key issue before the court is whether Meta’s services can be deemed a “public nuisance” under state law. Such a finding would give the judge authority to impose extensive corrective measures aimed at reducing harm to minors.
The case is being closely watched across the United States, as multiple states, municipalities, and school systems pursue comparable legal actions seeking tougher regulations for social media companies.
Monday’s hearing marks the second stage of the lawsuit.
In an earlier phase concluded in March, a jury ruled that Meta violated consumer protection laws by misleading users about the safety of Facebook and Instagram for children, awarding $375 million in damages.
Debate around the safety of minors on social media has intensified in recent years, drawing increased scrutiny from regulators and policymakers.
Meta recently cautioned investors that mounting legal and regulatory pressures in both the United States and the European Union “could significantly impact our business and financial results.”
Legal filings show that Torrez’s office intends to seek billions of dollars in additional damages, along with a court order requiring major operational changes to Meta’s platforms within New Mexico.
Meta has pushed back, insisting it has already introduced numerous safety measures and addressed many of the concerns raised by authorities.
In documents submitted last week, the company argued that some of the proposed requirements are impractical and warned that compliance could ultimately force it to cease operations in the state.
“The New Mexico Attorney General’s focus on a single platform is a misguided strategy that ignores the hundreds of other apps teens use daily,” a Meta spokesperson said in a statement ahead of the trial. “Rather than providing comprehensive protections, the state’s proposed mandates infringe on parental rights and stifle free expression for all New Mexicans.”
Judge Bryan Biedscheid will preside over the case and is expected to decide whether the company’s conduct meets the legal threshold for a public nuisance—an outcome that could allow the court to mandate measures aimed at stopping the alleged harm.
Public nuisance claims generally involve actions considered harmful to the wider community, including those that threaten public health or safety, such as environmental pollution or obstruction of public spaces.
