GoKawiilNew Mexico judge orders Meta to pay $25 billion over Cambridge Analytica data practices
A Santa Fe district court judge reduced a potential $219.5 billion jury-calculated fine to a $25 billion penalty against Meta, following a September jury verdict finding the company liable for misleading New Mexico residents about its data collection and safeguarding practices. The jury found more than 43 million violations of the state's unfair practices act, and the judge set the penalty at the maximum $5,000 per violation, with 15% annual interest until paid in full.
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The ruling marks one of the largest state-level penalties tied to the decade-old Cambridge Analytica scandal and signals that state courts can still impose heavy fines on tech giants even after broader federal settlements. The judge's reasoning, citing senior leadership involvement and willful, repeated misstatements, could embolden other states to pursue similar claims under their own consumer protection laws.
- A New Mexico judge reduced a $219.5 billion jury-based penalty to $25 billion against Meta.
- The jury found over 43 million violations of the state's unfair practices act tied to Cambridge Analytica-era data misuse.
- The penalty accrues 15% annual interest until fully paid, separate from Meta's earlier $17 billion multistate settlement.
Source: cnbc.com — Jonathan Vanian, 2026-10-21
Published there as: “Meta ordered to pay $25 billion penalty in New Mexico Cambridge Analytica case”
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