Meta’s historic loss in court could cost a lot more than $375 million

Key Points:

• New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez won a $375 million settlement from Meta in a child safety case and is now pursuing a public nuisance trial seeking court-ordered changes to Meta’s platforms, including age verification, limits on encryption for minors, and restrictions on engagement features.
• The trial, beginning in Santa Fe, will determine which of Torrez’s proposed remedies are feasible and relevant, potentially setting a precedent that could influence other tech companies and ongoing lawsuits related to online child safety.
• Proposed changes such as banning end-to-end encryption for users under 18 face criticism for potentially pushing users to less regulated platforms and raising privacy concerns, while other measures like stopping harmful profile recommendations may offer clearer benefits.
• Meta argues that some demands, including proving a 99% detection rate of child sexual abuse material, are technically unfeasible and that the focus on its platforms unfairly shifts responsibility from broader societal and enforcement issues.
• Torrez is also advocating for broader legislative reforms, including changes to Section 230, to hold tech companies more accountable, with experts noting that legal action has historically played a key role in shaping public policy on issues like tobacco and opioids.