New Mexico AG Urges Online Child Protection Legislation

AG: New Mexico Press Releases

Published October 14th, 2025

Detected March 21st, 2026

Summary

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez issued a statement supporting California's new online child protection laws and urging New Mexico legislators to adopt similar measures. The statement highlights the need for age verification, suicide and self-harm protocols, and penalties for illegal deepfakes to protect children online.

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What changed

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez has publicly supported California's recently enacted legislation aimed at enhancing online child protections and regulating emerging technologies. This statement, issued on October 14, 2025, specifically commends California's inclusion of features such as age verification, protocols for suicide and self-harm incidents, and stricter penalties for deepfake profiteering. The AG's office previously worked on similar legislation in New Mexico during the 2024 session, focusing on age verification and consumer data protections.

This statement serves as a call to action for the New Mexico Legislature to emulate California's protective measures. Compliance officers should be aware that while this is a state-level advocacy piece and not a new regulation, it signals a strong intent to pursue similar legislative action in New Mexico. Companies operating in the online space, particularly social media platforms and those dealing with user-generated content, should monitor legislative developments in New Mexico closely. The AG's emphasis on accountability for platforms like Meta suggests a potential future regulatory landscape that may impose new compliance obligations regarding child safety and data privacy.

What to do next

Monitor New Mexico legislative activity regarding online child protection laws.
Review existing online child safety protocols and age verification mechanisms for potential future compliance with state-specific legislation.

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STATEMENT Attorney General Raúl Torrez’s Statement on California’s Recently Passed Protections for Children Online – Encourages New Mexico Legislators to Follow Suit

October 14, 2025

Background:

This week California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation to strengthen the state’s protections for children online and create safeguards for new and emerging technology. The legislation adds required features for platforms and products such as age verification, protocols to address suicide and self-harm, stronger penalties for those who profit from illegal deepfakes, and other accountability measures.

Statement:

“My office has been actively fighting to improve online safety and hold social media companies — like Meta — accountable for protecting children from the dangers that exist on their platforms,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “During the 2024 regular session, we worked to pass legislation in New Mexico requiring age verification and stronger consumer data protections. The landmark legislation recently passed in California and signed by Governor Newsom should be commended — and emulated — across the country, as we strive to protect our children in the ever-evolving online world. I urge the New Mexico Legislature to take action and recognize the monumental difference these protections can make for New Mexican families and their children.”