Undercover investigation of Meta heads to trial in New Mexico in first stand-alone case by state
January 31, 2026
The first stand-alone trial from state prosecutors in a stream of lawsuits against Meta is getting underway in New Mexico. Jury selection begins Monday. Stemming from an undercover investigation, the case could give states a new legal pathway to go after social media companies over how their platforms affect children, by using consumer protection and nuisance laws. An expert in tech law say a verdict could have broad ripple effects. Meta — the owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp — says New Mexico’s top prosecutor has taken a sensationalist approach. State investigators created proxy social media accounts and posed as kids to document sexual solicitations and Meta’s response when notified.