New Mexico Attorney General Investigates How Meta’s Paid-Subscription Services Attract Predators
The New Mexico attorney general, Raúl Torrez, has announced that his office will be examining how Meta’s paid-subscription services attract predators, particularly on Facebook and Instagram. This comes after last year’s lawsuit against Meta, alleging that the company did not protect children from sexual predators and made false claims about the safety of its platforms.
Instagram, which does not allow users under 13, permits accounts managed by adults that focus entirely on children. A recent investigation by The New York Times revealed that some of these accounts charge followers up to $19.99 a month for additional photos, chat sessions, and other extras. The Times also found that adult men subscribe to these accounts and participate in forums discussing the girls in sexual terms.
Attorney General Torrez expressed concern over this pattern of conduct, stating, “This deeply disturbing behavior puts children at risk and persists despite lawsuits and congressional investigations.” He previously filed a complaint accusing Meta of enabling harmful activity between adults and minors on Facebook and Instagram.
Despite Instagram’s rules prohibiting users under 18 from offering subscriptions, the so-called mom-run accounts have found ways to bypass this restriction. The introduction of subscriptions on Instagram in 2022 has added to the platform’s appeal in the competitive creator economy.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Meta staff members had raised concerns about the subscription service rollout, with some parents aware that they were producing content for adults’ sexual gratification. Many of these accounts offer exclusive content in their subscription packages, with parents viewing it as a way to earn extra money for their daughters.
A group of over 40 state attorneys general also sued Meta last year, alleging that its products were harmful to teens and young adolescents. In response to the recent investigation, a Meta spokesman reiterated the company’s commitment to combating child exploitation and working with law enforcement to root out predators.
As the investigation into Meta’s paid-subscription services continues, the focus remains on protecting children from online predators and ensuring the safety of social media platforms.
