Meta fined $25bn for ‘lies’ over user data privacy

A New Mexico judge has ordered Meta to pay $25bn after a trial found the company repeatedly misled the public about how Facebook user data was handled and shared. The ruling is the largest fine imposed on Meta so far and could have significant consequences for the company’s business practices; Meta plans to appeal.

The case arose from claims linked to the Cambridge Analytica scandal and statements that third parties could not access user data without permission. A jury found more than 40 million violations of state law, affecting an estimated two million New Mexico residents, while the judge said the conduct was wilful and lasted from 2010 to 2021. The calculated penalty was $219bn, but the judge reduced it to $25bn; the state had sought up to $40bn.