New Mexico Orders Meta to Pay $25 Billion

On 21 October 2026, a New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay the state $25 billion after a jury found the company liable for more than 43 million violations of New Mexico consumer protection laws. The case concerned Facebook users’ privacy and the harvesting of personal data by Cambridge Analytica for targeted political advertising linked to the 2016 United States election.

Cambridge Analytica data harvesting

Cambridge Analytica, a political consulting firm that has since ceased operating, obtained data associated with about 87 million Facebook profiles through a third-party personality quiz. The data was used to create targeted political advertisements. The firm’s clients included Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.

The New Mexico case examined allegations that Facebook misled users about privacy and content moderation. Jurors assessed the company’s statements on 34 occasions and found liability for more than 43 million violations across the relevant counts. They did not find that the state had proved Facebook made false claims about removing harmful content, including COVID-19 misinformation.

State consumer protection law

New Mexico pursued a trial while 48 other states settled their claims against Facebook in a nationwide case for 18 billion in August 2026. Florida was also outside that settlement. New Mexico attorneys sought a penalty of 35 billion to 40 billion, while Meta’s lawyers argued for a maximum of 3.4 billion.

The New Mexico Constitution directs fines for violations of consumer protection laws towards state education spending. The $25 billion award is designated for an education fund. Meta has said it will appeal; an appeal could affect the violation count and the final penalty.

Important Facts for Exams

:

• Meta is the parent company of Facebook and is headquartered in Menlo Park, California.
• Cambridge Analytica used Facebook profile data for political advertising during the 2016 United States election.
• New Mexico’s consumer protection laws formed the basis of the jury’s liability finding.
• The New Mexico Constitution provides for consumer protection fines to go towards state education spending.

Legal proceedings and penalty

Judge Francis Mathew issued the $25 billion order following the September 2026 jury verdict. The judgment followed a state-level trial, while the other participating states resolved their claims through settlement. Meta’s appeal may challenge the jury’s findings and the calculation of the penalty.

The case concerns state consumer protection law, personal data privacy and the use of social media information for political advertising. The education fund is the stated destination for the award under New Mexico’s constitutional provisions.