New Mexico’s Attorney General, Raul Torrez, has filed a lawsuit claiming that Meta’s social media platforms, Facebook and Instagram, have become havens for child predators and paedophiles.
To investigate these allegations, Torrez’s office employed fake accounts, revealing that these fictitious minor accounts received ‘solicitations’ and explicit content. The lawsuit emphasizes the urgent need for court-mandated changes to protect minors, asserting that Meta’s voluntary measures have inadequately addressed these pervasive issues.
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While Meta defended its efforts to eliminate predators, New Mexico’s investigation uncovered a higher prevalence of exploitative material on Facebook and Instagram compared to platforms hosting adult content. Attorney General Torrez highlighted the inherent risks for children on these platforms, describing them as hotspots for predatory activities.
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Despite US law shielding platforms from content liability, the lawsuit argues that Meta’s algorithms actively promote sexually exploitative material, effectively transforming the platforms into marketplaces for child predators. The legal action accuses Meta of misleading users about platform safety, violating laws against deceptive practices, and producing an unsafe product.
Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s founder, is personally targeted in the lawsuit, alleging contradictory actions—claiming to enhance child safety while steering the company in the opposite direction. Meta responded by reiterating its commitment to combatting child exploitation, emphasizing the utilization of technology and collaboration with law enforcement to address these concerns.
