Meta threatens to withdraw apps from New Mexico over state age-verification demands

Meta warned it may be forced to shut down its apps for users in New Mexico if a judge sides with the state's demands in an upcoming bench trial. The warning was made in court filings ahead of the trial's second phase, scheduled to begin May 4. Last month, a Santa Fe jury held Meta liable for $375 million in damages over the company's failure to protect child users from online predators. In the next phase, District Judge Bryan Biedscheid will determine whether Meta caused a "public nuisance" and should fund related state programs. New Mexico Department of Justice lawyers will argue that Meta must make several changes to its platform, including adding age verification, removing predators, and "protecting minors from encrypted communications that shield bad actors." Meta responded that the state's demands are "so broad and burdensome that if implemented, it might force Meta to withdraw its apps entirely." The company said it does not make economic or engineering sense to build separate apps just for New Mexico residents. Meta also claimed the state lacks the authority to implement its desired changes and that doing so would violate free speech. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez described Meta's threat as a "PR stunt." In a statement, Torrez said Meta has historically redesigned its products and bent to demands from dictators to preserve market access. "This is not about technological capability," Torrez said. "Meta simply refuses to place the safety of children ahead of engagement, advertising revenue, and profit."