Attorneys for the State of New Mexico are trying to prove that Meta is a public nuisance in phase 2 of the trial that’s taking place here in Santa Fe New Mexico.
And, the state’s attorney general’s office claims in order to fix the harms that Meta has allegedly caused, the state’s going to need $3.7 billion
New Mexico saying that the alleged harms caused to individuals – stack up to what can be considered a public nuisance and is bringing more than half a dozen expert witnesses to the stand that will prove exactly that while talking about mental health.
Alex Parkinson – who delivered the opening statement for Meta – said that the state is asking the court to make unprecedented decisions that would not only be the first of its kind in New Mexico but across the nation.
He talked about how the charge of Public Nuisance is not applicable in this case because no court ever held that any media service of any kind constitutes a Public nuisance because there is no public right to that media – meaning Social media is not a public right, so it cannot be classified as a public nuisance.
He also argued that if individuals have been hurt, they have a remedy which is a civil lawsuit – and there are already thousands in the pipeline.
Parkinson saying that New Mexico cannot aggregate multiple personal injury cases into one big case and claim its a public nuisance.
He then rattled off case after case proving precedent for his argument and even listed several state supreme court decisions rejecting the states public nuisance argument.
Parkinson then pointed out that according to the states argument, that fast food would be a public nuisance because it contributes to obesity, and gyms would be a public nuisance because people get injured, and bars would be a public nuisance because drinking impacts health, and driving drunk causes crashes.
Furthermore, Parkinson said the state has failed to weigh the net positive Meta apps have on the state connecting billions of people, contributing to the economy through creator earnings and fueling small businesses saying Meta apps are not only engines of economic growth, but have saved thousands of lives through their welfare apps
He also suggested that this is one big money grab.
Saying that by asking the court to label Meta as a public nuisance, New Mexico is trying to triple dip by allowing for personal injury claims, bringing the unfair practices claim, and now the public nuisance charge in which they want another $3.7 billion
