GoKawiilNew Mexico jury orders Meta to pay $25 billion over data privacy violations
A New Mexico judge imposed a $25 billion civil penalty on Meta after a jury found the company committed nearly 44 million violations of the state's Unfair Practices Act. The case stemmed from Meta misleading users about data privacy practices connected to the Cambridge Analytica scandal tied to the 2016 presidential election. Meta had sought to cap penalties at $3.45 billion but failed, though the final sum is far below the $219 billion some estimates had floated.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The penalty ranks among the largest ever levied against a tech company, and New Mexico's attorney general framed it as proof that no corporation is beyond accountability. Meta may appeal, so the financial impact remains uncertain, but the ruling adds to a string of costly legal setbacks for the company, including a recent up to $18 billion multistate settlement over platform addictiveness in minors. Together these cases could signal growing willingness by state regulators to pursue large penalties against major tech firms over privacy and safety practices.
- A New Mexico jury found Meta committed nearly 44 million violations of the state's consumer protection law.
- The $25 billion penalty stems from the Cambridge Analytica data privacy scandal tied to the 2016 election.
- Meta could still appeal; it previously failed to cap penalties at $3.45 billion and faces other recent costly settlements.
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Published there as: “Will Meta’s $25 Billion Court Loss Change Its Ways? (Spoiler: Probably Not)”
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