Meta Threatens to Shut Down Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp in New Mexico Over Child Safety Court Case

Meta has threatened to block access to Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp in New Mexico if a court forces the company to implement sweeping child safety reforms. The threat comes ahead of the remedies phase of a lawsuit brought by the New Mexico Department of Justice, set to begin Monday. In March, a New Mexico jury ordered Meta to pay $375 million for failing to protect children from exploitation. Prosecutors now seek changes including limiting addictive features, improving age verification, and addressing end-to-end encryption for minors. Meta argues the proposed requirement of 99% accuracy in verifying users under 13 is impossible, effectively forcing a shutdown. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez doubts Meta would follow through nationwide. The case is the first to go to trial among over 40 state lawsuits alleging Meta's platforms harm youth mental health. Separately, a Los Angeles jury awarded $6 million to a young woman who became addicted to Meta and Google platforms. EU regulators also charged Meta with breaching rules by allowing children under 13 on Instagram and Facebook. Australia's new law banning social media for under-16s faces enforcement challenges.