# Meta ordered to pay $25bn in New Mexico consumer protection case

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/meta-shocked-by-25b-fine-after-n-m-refused-to-join-multistate-settlement/
- Published: 2026-10-22T17:04:31+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-22T17:39:21+00:00
- Original publisher: Ars Technica
- Original article: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/10/meta-whines-new-mexico-is-impossible-to-please-after-historic-25-billion-fine/
- Topics: Software

## Key points

- Meta faces a $25 billion penalty in New Mexico.
- A jury found nearly 44 million consumer law violations.
- Meta plans to appeal the ruling.

## Summary

A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $25 billion after a jury found it committed nearly 44 million violations of state consumer protection law. The ruling found that Meta repeatedly misled users about control of their data and other platform practices over more than 11 years; the company says it will appeal.

The penalty followed Meta’s $18 billion settlement with attorneys general from nearly all other states, which New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez declined to join. The judge said previous penalties had not deterred Meta, and approved the highest level allowed under state law; New Mexico had sought up to $40 billion. Legal experts said Meta may have a chance to reduce the award on constitutional grounds.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.