Точка Синхронізації

The State of New Mexico is set to begin a high-profile civil trial against Meta Platforms Inc. this week in Santa Fe, alleging that the social media giant intentionally misrepresented the safety of its platforms, Instagram and Facebook, regarding the protection of minors from child sexual exploitation. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez initiated the legal action following an investigation that claimed Meta’s algorithms actively recommended harmful content and facilitated connections between adult predators and children. The state argues that the company prioritized profit over the safety of its youngest users, leading to a public health crisis that Meta failed to adequately address despite internal warnings. The core of the legal battle centers on allegations that Meta’s executive leadership, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg, misled the public and government officials about the effectiveness of their safety measures. Internal documents cited by the prosecution suggest that Meta was aware of systemic flaws in its moderation systems and the potential for predatory grooming on its platforms but chose to downplay these risks in corporate statements. The trial will examine whether the company’s design choices, such as algorithmic recommendations and disappearing message features, directly contributed to an environment where child exploitation could flourish. Meta has consistently denied the allegations, maintaining that it employs sophisticated technology and thousands of safety experts to combat predatory behavior. The company argues that it remains a leader in the industry for developing tools that detect and remove illicit content before it is even reported. However, the New Mexico lawsuit is part of a broader wave of legal pressure facing the tech giant, as numerous other states have filed similar complaints focusing on the addictive nature of social media and its detrimental impact on the mental health of teenagers and children.