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New Mexico Sues Meta Over AI Chatbot Risks for Minors

1/29/2026

Summary

Torrez Sues Meta

New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez filed a lawsuit against Meta, alleging it failed to protect minors from inappropriate interactions with Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots.
Internal documents show Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, approved policies allowing minors to access these chatbots.
The lawsuit says Meta ignored parental controls, exposing minors to content.
After backlash, Meta suspended teen access while developing safety measures.
The trial is set for February 2026.

Summary

Meta Implements Charges

Meta will charge a per-message fee for AI chatbots on WhatsApp in Italy, starting February 16.
A per-message fee of $0.0691 follows regulatory pressure that forced Meta to lift its ban on third-party bots.
A chatbot handling 10,000 messages daily would incur over $20,000 in monthly costs.
The shift marks a transition from a ban to a revenue model, which may affect AI distribution amid scrutiny in other regions.

History

Historical Context

The European Union proposed the Digital Services Act in 2021 to regulate online platforms like Meta, addressing user safety and accountability amid rising concerns over digital interactions. This legislative push aligns with ongoing scrutiny of Meta's practices, including a lawsuit from New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez regarding its AI chatbot policies, highlighting the significant implications for corporate responsibility and user protection in the digital age.

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Torrez Sues Meta

New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez filed a lawsuit against Meta, alleging it failed to protect minors from inappropriate interactions with Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots.
Internal documents show Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, approved policies allowing minors to access these chatbots.
The lawsuit says Meta ignored parental controls, exposing minors to content.
After backlash, Meta suspended teen access while developing safety measures.
The trial is set for February 2026.

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