Trial against Meta in New Mexico focuses on dangers of child sexual exploitation on social media : Shared by Tom McDermott
The Innocenti report captured many headlines around the world by noting that research in 11 countries found at least 1.2 million children reported having their images manipulated into sexually explicit deepfakes through AI tools in the past year. UNICEF called for urgent action by governments and industry to prevent creation and spread of AI-generated sexual content of children. It also called for governments to criminalize creation of of AI-generated child sexual abuse content.
UNICEF's call for action comes amid actions elsewhere on AI's role in sexual abuse of children:
*Two days before the report the UK announced new legislation criminalizing AI models that create abuse materials.
*The EU has launched a formal investigation into whether X violated its digital rules by allowing the Grok chatbot to generate such materials.
* France raided X's Paris offices on February 3 as part of a criminal investigation into alleged child pornography linked to Grok, summoning Elon Musk and executives for questioning.
* The Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia banned Grok. Regulators in Australia also opened investigations.
* In the UN the SG appointed 40 individuals to serve on the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence to ensure AI benefits humanity.
As the article summarized below explains 40 US states have filed lawsuits against Meta claiming that Meta designed features to addict children to its platforms. The New Mexico case is the first to come to trial and - by chance - comes just 5 days after the UNICEF report.
Trial against Meta in New Mexico focuses on dangers of child sexual exploitation on social media
By Morgan Lee
Associated Press
February 9, 2026
Summary
A trial focused on child sexual exploitation on social media and whether Meta misrepresented the safety of its platforms began Monday in New Mexico with opening statements. It is the first stand-alone trial from state prosecutors in a stream of lawsuits against major social media companies over harm to children. More than 40 state attorneys general have filed lawsuits against Meta claiming it deliberately designed features that addict children to its platforms. New Mexico's case is the first to reach trial.
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez sued Meta in 2023, building the case by posing as kids through social media accounts and documenting sexual solicitations and Meta's response. Meta owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
Prosecutors say they will provide evidence that Meta's algorithms and account features enticed and addicted young people to social media and fostered a breeding ground for predators targeting children for sexual exploitation. Meta is accused of failing to disclose harmful effects of its platform on children in violation of state consumer protection laws and of creating a public nuisance.
Meta denies legal violations and says prosecutors are cherry-picking evidence to make sensationalist arguments. Meta called the state's investigation ethically compromised in its use of child photos on proxy accounts, delays in reporting child sexual abuse material, and disposal of data from devices used in the investigation.
Opening arguments also were scheduled Monday in a separate California case against Meta and YouTube alleging platforms deliberately addict and harm children. TikTok and Snapchat settled claims in the California case. It is unclear whether Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg will testify at trial.
Quotes
"The theme throughout this trial is going to be that Meta put profits over safety. Meta clearly knew that youth safety was not its corporate priority ... that youth safety was less important than growth and engagement." - Donald Migliori, attorney representing the state of New Mexico
"For over a decade, we've listened to parents, worked with experts and law enforcement, and conducted in-depth research to understand the issues that matter most. We're proud of the progress we've made." - Meta company statement
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