COURTS
How New Mexico鈥檚 Meta lawsuit unfolded over the years
From a 2023 filing over child safety concerns to a landmark multimillion-dollar judgment, here is a timeline of the case against Meta
Published
Modified
A timeline of the State of New Mexico v. Meta Platforms Inc.:
December 2023
Headline: New Mexico files lawsuit against Meta Platforms, Inc. and related entities
New Mexico Attorney General Ra煤l Torrez filed the case alleging that Meta鈥檚 platforms exposed children to risks including sexual exploitation, online solicitation and trafficking. The lawsuit named Meta and its platforms, including Instagram and Facebook, as defendants.
June 2024
Headline: Court allows the case to proceed against Meta
A New Mexico judge rejected Meta鈥檚 attempt to dismiss key claims, allowing the state鈥檚 allegations to move forward. The judge also granted Mark Zuckerberg鈥檚 request to be removed as an individual defendant while keeping the case against Meta.
February 2026
Headline: Jury trial begins in Santa Fe
The first phase of the trial focused on whether Meta violated New Mexico鈥檚 consumer protection laws by misleading users about child safety and the risks associated with its platforms.
March 2026
Headline: Jury finds Meta liable and awards $375 million in civil penalties
The jury determined that Meta violated New Mexico鈥檚 Unfair Practices Act by misleading consumers and failing to adequately protect children. The penalty represented the maximum allowed amount calculated under the state鈥檚 consumer protection claims.
April 2026
Headline: Judge denies Meta鈥檚 request to delay the next phase of proceedings
Meta sought to postpone the second phase of the case, but Judge Bryan Biedscheid rejected the request. The court allowed New Mexico to continue seeking court-ordered safety reforms.
May 2026
Headline: Second phase of trial begins (bench trial)
This phase focused on New Mexico鈥檚 claim that Meta created a public nuisance and on possible remedies requiring changes to Meta鈥檚 platforms. The state requested stronger child-safety measures, including improved age protections and platform changes.
May 2026
Headline: Court denies Meta鈥檚 motion for a directed verdict
Meta argued that New Mexico had not proven its case in the second phase, but Judge Biedscheid rejected that argument. The public nuisance portion of the case continued.
May 2026
Headline: Second phase trial concludes
The bench trial ended after 13 days of testimony and evidence in Santa Fe District Court. The judge was expected to issue a decision on the state鈥檚 public nuisance claims and requested remedies.
August 2026
Headline: Judge orders Meta to pay an additional $567 million and imposes safety reforms
More on the Meta ruling
-
Lawmakers readying social media protection bills in wake of landmark New Mexico court ruling
-
Torrez: Elected officials will decide how to spend Meta award totaling $942 million
-
Meta to appeal New Mexico ruling holding social media giant liable for teen harm
-
Judge orders Meta to pay $567 million over harm to New Mexico youth
