Meta seeks to limit evidence in child safety case

Meta is bracing for a significant trial in New Mexico, where it faces accusations of inadequate measures to shield children from sexual exploitation on its platforms. With the trial date rapidly approaching, the company's legal team is actively seeking to narrow the scope of evidence that can be presented against them in court. Public records reviewed by Wired reveal that Meta is attempting to block various forms of evidence, including critical research on social media's impact on youth mental health, reports linking social media to teenage suicides, and any references to the company's financial situation or past privacy breaches. Intriguingly, they are even trying to keep details from CEO Mark Zuckerberg's college days out of the courtroom. This legal challenge stems from a lawsuit initiated by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez in late 2023, who alleges that Meta has failed to protect minors from online dangers such as predators, trafficking, and sexual abuse. The lawsuit accuses the company of allowing explicit content to reach minors and lacking sufficient safety mechanisms. Scheduled to commence on February 2, this trial is notable as the first of its kind at the state level. While it is common for companies like Meta to pursue a narrow case, legal experts consulted by Wired have indicated that Meta's efforts to exclude such a wide range of evidence may be unprecedented, particularly their attempts to omit information about their AI chatbots. Additionally, Meta seeks to prevent any mention of a public health warning issued by former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy regarding the effects of social media on youth mental health. The company argues that this information is either irrelevant or could unduly influence the jury's decision.