Santa Fe, NM — New Mexico is escalating its legal battle against Meta, demanding a staggering $3.7 billion plan to overhaul Facebook and Instagram after winning a historic $375 million jury verdict. State attorneys on Monday urged a judge to force Meta to fund programs for mental health providers, law enforcement, and educators, and to implement sweeping changes to its platforms.
“This is not just a penalty; it’s a comprehensive plan to protect our children,” said David Ackerman, an attorney for the state, during opening arguments in the second phase of the trial. “Meta’s algorithms have enabled exploitation and harmed thousands of kids. We’re asking the court to stop the bleeding.”
Background
The request follows a landmark $375 million jury verdict against Meta earlier this month, the largest of its kind in a state child safety case. The first phase found Meta liable for failing to protect minors from sexual exploitation, fraud, and mental health damage on its platforms.
Now, in the second phase, the state is seeking a court-ordered abatement plan that would require Meta to implement age verification, achieve a 99% detection rate for new child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and ban late-night and school-hour notifications for teens in New Mexico. The plan also includes funding for specialized training and resources.
What This Means
If approved, the $3.7 billion plan would be one of the most aggressive regulatory moves against a social media company in U.S. history. It could set a precedent for other states to demand similar reforms, forcing Meta to overhaul its products nationwide.
“This is a turning point,” said Dr. Sarah Chen, a child safety expert at Georgetown University. “New Mexico is effectively saying that a fine isn’t enough — you have to fix the underlying system. That could change how every social media company operates.”
Attorney General Raul Torrez framed the demand as a moral imperative. “Meta has profited billions while children suffered. Now they must pay for the damage and prevent future harm,” he said in a statement. “We will not back down.”
Meta has not issued a formal response, but legal experts expect the company to fight the plan, arguing it exceeds the court’s authority. The trial is expected to continue for several weeks.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.