Statement from New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez on  Meta’s Refusal to Protect Children

Santa Fe, NM – Today, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez issued the following statement in response to Meta’s threat to shut down its platforms in the state rather than implement basic reforms to improve safety for kids.

“Meta is showing the world how little it cares about child safety” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “Meta’s refusal to follow the laws that protect our kids tells you everything you need to know about this company and the character of its leaders. 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.”

In March 2026, New Mexico became the first state in the nation to prevail at trial against a major technology company for misleading consumers and endangering children. A jury found Meta liable under the Unfair Practices Act and ordered $375 million in civil penalties.

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The second phase of the trial begins Monday, May 4, 2026. In this bench trial, the New Mexico Department of Justice will argue that Meta’s platforms constitute a public nuisance and seek court-ordered reforms to protect children, including:

• Effective age verification to prevent adults from posing as minors, ensure that all teens receive appropriate safeguards, and enforce minimum age requirements for pre-teens;
• Safer recommendation algorithms that do not prioritize engagement over child well-being;
• Restrictions on end-to-end encryption for minors to prevent predators from operating in secrecy;
• Prominent warning labels about platform risks;
• Permanent bans for adults who engage in or facilitate child exploitation; and
• Independent oversight through a court-appointed child safety monitor.