GoKawiilNew Mexico asks judge to fine Meta up to $40 billion over Cambridge Analytica
Following a late-September jury verdict finding Meta violated New Mexico's Unfair Practices Act with misleading privacy statements tied to the Cambridge Analytica scandal, state attorneys have asked a judge to impose penalties of $35 billion to $40 billion. The jury found 26 of 29 examined Meta statements misleading, translating into roughly 43 million consumer-law violations based on the New Mexico Facebook users who saw them. Meta is urging the court to cap penalties at $3.45 billion, arguing no residents were shown to have actually been misled, with a ruling expected later this month.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The gap between the state's $40 billion ask and Meta's proposed $3.45 billion cap shows how much is riding on the judge's interpretation of the jury's findings, since the verdict technically allowed for penalties as high as $219 billion. State attorney Randi McGinn's comment that the penalty should 'speak to Meta' in money suggests New Mexico wants a sum large enough to affect Meta's stock price and behavior, not just a symbolic fine. The outcome could set a precedent for how aggressively state consumer-protection laws can be used against tech companies over data privacy practices.
- A New Mexico jury found Meta made 26 misleading statements, resulting in about 43 million alleged violations.
- State prosecutors are seeking $35-40 billion in penalties; Meta argues for a $3.45 billion cap.
- A judge is expected to rule on the penalty amount later this month.
Source: engadget.com — Mariella Moon, 2026-10-02
Published there as: “New Mexico wants Meta to pay $40 billion in penalties for Cambridge Analytica scandal”
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