New Mexico Jury Orders Meta to Pay $25 Billion for Privacy Deception

The short version

• Meta was fined $25 billion after a jury found it misled users about data privacy practices.
• The case stems from the Cambridge Analytica scandal era when the company was known as Facebook Inc.
• Each of the 43 million violations carried a potential penalty of up to $5,000 under state law.

The details

A jury in Santa Fe, New Mexico, ruled against Meta Platforms Inc., ordering the tech giant to pay $25 billion in penalties. According to SiliconANGLE, the jury found that Meta had misled its users concerning how the company protects and utilizes their data. This verdict follows a two-week trial that concluded last month. The court determined that Meta committed 43 million violations of New Mexico’s Unfair Practices Act.

Judge Francis Mathew reduced the initial penalty award of $219.5 billion to $25 billion. In his filing, Judge Mathew cited the "extraordinary number of willful violations," the duration of the conduct, and the involvement of senior leadership as reasons for the high penalty. He noted that the systematic nature of the misstatements supported the maximum allowed fine of $5,000 per violation.

The context

The lawsuit traces back ten years to the Cambridge Analytica scandal, a period when Meta operated under the name Facebook Inc. According to SiliconANGLE, this penalty adds to recent financial hits for the company. In August, Meta agreed to a $17.1 billion settlement with multiple U.S. states over claims that it deliberately made its products addictive. Another $9.9 billion settlement charge impacted recent quarterly profits.

Despite these legal costs, Meta reported a 26% revenue climb to $64.6 billion. The $25 billion penalty will increase by 15% for every year it remains unpaid. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez stated that the result shows no corporation is too powerful to avoid accountability. Meta Chief Legal Officer C.J. Mahoney announced plans to appeal the decision.

What should you do?

• Review your privacy settings on Meta platforms to limit data sharing with third parties.
• Enable two-factor authentication on your accounts to secure access against unauthorized use.
• Monitor your account activity logs for unfamiliar logins or permission grants.
• Stay alert for phishing emails that may reference this lawsuit to steal credentials.

For customers and users

Users should verify their current privacy configurations to ensure data sharing aligns with their preferences. It is advisable to audit connected applications and remove those no longer needed. Check notification settings to reduce exposure to unsolicited content. Be cautious of follow-up communications claiming to be from legal teams or support staff; verify sender addresses before clicking links. Regularly update passwords to maintain account security. Review app permissions periodically to limit data access. Ensure contact information is current to receive legitimate security alerts. Avoid sharing sensitive details in response to unsolicited requests.

What to do and how to stay safe: Meta

• Audit privacy settings on social media accounts to restrict data visibility.
• Enable multi-factor authentication to add a layer of account security.
• Review third-party app permissions and revoke access for unused services.
• Monitor account activity logs for suspicious login attempts or changes.

Step-by-step guide: How Online Tracking Works: The Technical Chain from Request to Profile

General security guidance from the DataSafe Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the fine against Meta?

The jury ordered Meta to pay $25 billion in penalties, reduced from an initial $219.5 billion award.

Why was Meta fined?

A jury found that Meta misled users about how it protects and uses their data, committing 43 million violations.

What happens if Meta does not pay the fine?

The penalty will increase by 15% for every year that it is not paid in full.