India, May 3 -- A trial beginning in New Mexico on Monday could prompt a judge to order sweeping changes to how Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp operate - a move Meta Platforms has warned could force it to withdraw from the state.

The case, which will be tried before a judge in Santa Fe, stems from a lawsuit filed by New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez, a Democrat, accusing the social media giant of designing its products to addict young users and failing to protect children from sexual exploitation on its platforms.

At the heart of the trial is whether Meta's platforms have created a "public nuisance" under New Mexico law. That finding would allow the judge to order wide-ranging remedies aimed at curbing alleged harms to young user...