New Mexico has launched a bench trial against Meta, seeking a court order to force fundamental design changes to Facebook and Instagram to protect minors from platform harms.

Key Points

• New Mexico is demanding Meta implement strict age verification, disable addictive features like infinite scroll, and remove end-to-end encryption for users under 18.
• The state seeks a court-appointed, Meta-funded monitor to oversee compliance and investigate internal systems for a minimum of five years.
• Meta has threatened to withdraw its platforms from New Mexico entirely, arguing the state's demands are technically impossible and violate First Amendment protections.
• This trial follows a March 2026 jury verdict that found Meta liable for 75,000 violations, resulting in a $375 million civil penalty.
• The proceedings, which run through May 22, test whether social media platforms can be legally classified as a public nuisance under state law.

Why it Matters

This case represents a significant escalation in state-level efforts to regulate Big Tech, potentially setting a legal precedent for how social media companies are held accountable for user safety. If successful, the court-ordered mandates could force a fundamental shift in Meta’s business model and influence similar litigation currently pursued by over 40 other states.