Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp to undergo massive changes? Here's what Meta's latest court trial could do

A trial beginning in New Mexico on Monday could prompt a judge to order sweeping changes to how Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp operate - a move Meta Platforms has warned could force it to withdraw from the state.

The case, which will be tried before a judge in Santa Fe, stems from a lawsuit filed by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, a Democrat, accusing the social media giant of designing its products to addict young users and failing to protect children from sexual exploitation on its platforms.

At the heart of the trial is whether Meta’s platforms have created a “public nuisance” under New Mexico law. That finding would allow ‌the judge to order ⁠wide-ranging remedies ⁠aimed at curbing alleged harms to young users. The case is being closely watched as states, municipalities and school districts across the country pursue similar claims seeking to force changes at the industry level.


Monday's trial marks the second phase of New Mexico's lawsuit. ​A jury in March found Meta violated the state’s consumer protection law by misrepresenting the safety of Facebook and Instagram for young users. It ordered the company to pay $375 million in damages.

Criticism of children's ​safety on social media has been mounting for years. On Wednesday, Meta warned investors that legal and regulatory blowback in the European Union and the U.S. "could significantly impact our business and financial results."

Torrez’s office is expected to seek both billions of dollars more in damages and an order requiring Meta to make substantial changes to its platforms for New Mexico ​users, according to court filings.

Meta has said it has already addressed many of the state's concerns and taken extensive measures to ⁠ensure its young ‌users are safe. The company said in court filings last week that many of the changes Torrez’s office is seeking are impossible for it to comply ​with and may force it ​to withdraw from the state entirely.

Meta said in court filings New Mexico plans to ask for $3.7 billion in damages to fund a 15-year mental health plan including new healthcare facilities and hiring providers, a request it said would require it pay for mental health care for all teens in the state regardless of the cause of their needs.