By Trend News Line 2024-05-08 22:06:09.
The Arrests and Charges
Three men in New Mexico have been charged with using Meta’s social media platforms to target and solicit sex with underage children. The arrests came following a monthslong undercover operation by the state Department of Justice. The suspects connected with decoy accounts set up by authorities, communicating and exchanging explicit sexual content through Facebook’s messenger app. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez expressed deep concern over how easily these individuals found the undercover personas and emphasized the seriousness of such threats.
Blame on Meta Executives
Torrez placed blame on Meta executives, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg, accusing the company of prioritizing profits over the safety of parents and children. He criticized the rhetoric and assurances given by Meta to communities, Congress, and policymakers regarding the company’s efforts to prevent such behavior. Meta, on the other hand, disputed the allegations, stating that it uses technology to prevent suspicious adults from interacting with children on its platforms and collaborates with law enforcement to investigate offenders.
Meta’s Response
In response to the allegations, Meta reiterated its commitment to child safety, stating that it employs technology to protect children and teens on its apps. The company highlighted its collaboration with law enforcement agencies, hiring of child safety experts, and reporting of content to relevant authorities. Meta described the fight against online predators as an ongoing battle, with criminals constantly evolving their tactics to evade detection.
Legal Proceedings and Civil Lawsuit
The three defendants in the criminal case, Fernando Clyde, Marlon Kellywood, and Christopher Reynolds, face charges of child solicitation by an electronic communication device. Prosecutors are seeking to detain them pending trial, although hearings have yet to be scheduled. The civil lawsuit filed by New Mexico prosecutors against Meta includes internal documents alleging that about 100,000 children are subjected to sexual harassment on the company’s platforms daily.
Continued Efforts
While the state attorney general’s office continues to work on identifying predators targeting children, Torrez mentioned that it is too early to determine the impact on the civil litigation. The office remains dedicated to safeguarding children online and holding offenders accountable. As the case progresses, more details may emerge regarding the defendants and the investigation..
– Undercover operation online predators
– New Mexico prosecutor Meta blames.