Meta Threatens to Exit New Mexico Over Impossible State Demands for Platform Changes

Meta has warned that it may be forced to withdraw Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp from New Mexico if the state’s attorney general succeeds in enforcing sweeping platform changes.

The company argues that the demands—including a ban on end-to-end encryption for minors, mandatory age verification, and the detection of 99% of new child sexual abuse material—are technologically impractical and cannot be implemented.

This escalation follows a recent legal defeat for Meta, where a New Mexico jury awarded the state $375 million in a lawsuit alleging the company misled users about the safety of its products.

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez is now seeking court-ordered modifications to Meta’s platforms as part of the judgment. The proposed changes include:

• A prohibition on end-to-end encryption for users under 18;
• Mandatory age verification for all users;
• Detection and removal of 99% of newly uploaded child sexual abuse material.

Meta has strongly opposed these requirements, stating they would compromise user privacy and security while being technically unachievable.

In a statement, a Meta spokesperson said:

‘The Attorney General’s demands are not only impractical but also threaten the privacy and safety of all users. We will not compromise on encryption or implement measures that could harm our community.’

The company has not yet confirmed whether it would fully withdraw its apps from New Mexico, but it has indicated that compliance with the court’s order would be impossible without significant operational changes.

The case underscores the growing tension between state regulators and tech platforms over issues of child safety, privacy, and content moderation.