New Mexico’s attorney general reportedly pushes new social media safety laws a day before 29 AGs testify against Meta in federal trial

New Mexico’s Attorney General Raúl Torrez is spearheading efforts to introduce new social media safety measures just ahead of a federal trial against Meta. The legislation, set to be announced soon, would extend consumer protections and child safety provisions beyond social media platforms to include artificial intelligence and chatbots.

Torrez’s actions are part of a dual front strategy: bolstering New Mexico’s own $942 million verdict against Meta and addressing the federal case initiated by California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey on behalf of the 29 states that sued Meta in 2023. One of Torrez’s proposed bills would lift the cap on penalties for non-compliance with New Mexico’s consumer protection laws.

His office is also pursuing a separate lawsuit against Meta concerning data privacy and civic harms, with a trial expected to commence in September. Additionally, Torrez is preparing a lawsuit against an AI company over an emotionally engaging chatbot. Meta has refuted the verdict, claiming it misrepresents the company's efforts to ensure safety for its users.

New Mexico’s legislative move comes in the wake of a recent ruling, in which a judge mandated Meta to establish a $567 million abatement fund and pay $375 million in civil penalties, raising the company’s total liability in the state to $942 million.