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Meta Faces $3.7B Demand for Child Safety Overhaul
6 May
Summary
- New Mexico seeks $3.7B for child safety programs.
- State demands sweeping redesign of Meta's child safety protocols.
- Meta argues proposed reforms are unfeasible, risking shutdown.
New Mexico is pursuing a significant legal sanction against Meta in the second phase of a child safety lawsuit. Following a March verdict finding the company liable, the state is now petitioning for a $3.7 billion penalty to fund child safety programs. This includes demanding drastic overhauls to Meta's child protection protocols.
The state aims to have Meta declared a public nuisance, with funds directed to law enforcement, mental health, and education. Proposed platform redesigns encompass universal age verification, de-encryption of children's messages, and mandatory guardian accounts. Meta argues these measures are unfeasible and could lead to a shutdown of its services within the state.
The court must balance these demands with free speech protections, as some proposed design changes could be viewed as overreach. Key proposals focus on preventing online child exploitation by restricting adult-minor interactions, mandating age verification, and blocking underage users under 13.
Further measures include appointing a child safety monitor for five years, enhancing reporting of exploitation to NCMEC, and permitting law enforcement to operate undercover accounts. The state also seeks to eliminate end-to-end encryption for users under 18, arguing it hinders the detection of child abuse material.
