Meta-owned social media platforms, including Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook, could shut down services in the US state of New Mexico if a court orders the company to implement what it calls “impractical” child safety measures.
The social media company is mulling the idea of shutting down its social application services in the state in response to state prosecutors calling for changes to the company's social media policy to safeguard the mental health and safety of children.
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The warning comes ahead of a court hearing in a lawsuit filed by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, who has accused Meta of failing to protect children from online exploitation and mental health harm.
According to reports, the state is seeking major changes to Meta’s platforms, including stricter age verification systems, tighter privacy settings for minors and stronger safeguards against child exploitation. Meta argues that some of the proposed requirements are technologically difficult and could require separate versions of its apps for New Mexico users.
The legal battle follows a recent jury verdict that ordered Meta to pay $375 million in civil penalties after finding that the company violated state consumer protection laws related to child safety.
Meta has not officially confirmed that it will definitely suspend services in New Mexico, but court filings and statements from the company indicate that a shutdown remains a possibility if the court imposes measures it considers unworkable.