From Seattletimes · · 2m
Meta Ordered to Pay New Mexico $25 Billion for Privacy Deception
Meta faces $25 billion penalty after jury finds it deceived users on Facebook privacy policies.
In brief
Meta faces $25 billion penalty after jury finds it deceived users on Facebook privacy policies. Meta must pay New Mexico $25 billion for misleading users about privacy and content moderation on Facebook. Originally reported by Seattletimes.
Judge orders Meta $25 billion penalty
A judge ordered Meta to pay New Mexico $25 billion after a jury found the company liable for deceiving users about privacy and content moderation policies on Facebook.
“one of the largest, if not the single largest state verdict against a company in American history”
Attorney General calls it a warning
State Attorney General Raúl Torrez described the verdict as 'one of the largest, if not the single largest state verdict against a company in American history' and said it should warn tech companies.
“one of the largest, if not the single largest state verdict against a company in American history”
New Mexico Constitution ties penalty to education
Under New Mexico Constitution, fines for consumer protection law violations go to state education spending, with money tied up if Meta appeals.
“We may have paid for the construction of schools for the next 100 years”
Meta plans to appeal verdict
Meta previously said it plans to appeal the September verdict and its shares were trading 2% higher following the penalty announcement.
“2%”
New Mexico sued alone
New Mexico was the only state to pursue a trial after 48 other states settled with Facebook in a nationwide case for $18 billion.
“48”
State sought $35-40 billion
Attorneys for New Mexico sought $35 billion to $40 billion, arguing the company would only change its ways with a sum affecting its stock price.
“$35 billion to $40 billion”
Meta argued for $3.4 billion
Meta lawyers argued for paying no more than $3.4 billion, saying an award ten times that or more would violate due process and be unconstitutional.
“$3.4 billion”
Jury found 43 million violations
Jurors found Meta liable for over 43 million violations of New Mexico consumer protection laws when Cambridge Analytica harvested Facebook user data for targeted political ads.
“43 million”
Meta questions evidence of harm
Meta argues the state failed to prove misleading statements about privacy and content moderation harmed New Mexicans.
“the state failed to prove misleading statements about privacy and content moderation harmed New Mexicans”
Here's the gist
Meta must pay New Mexico $25 billion for misleading users about privacy and content moderation on Facebook.
