A judge ordered Meta to pay a record $25 billion fine after a jury found the company misled Facebook users about their privacy rights.
A United States judge ordered Meta to pay a $25 billion fine. A jury found the company misled Facebook users about their privacy. This penalty represents the largest fine ever against the tech giant.
Also, District Judge Francis Mathew issued the final ruling on Wednesday. He stated that Facebook made false promises to users regarding data control. The court case centered on violations of consumer protection laws in New Mexico.
Next, a jury determined Meta committed over 43 million violations. Attorney General Raul Torrez called this a historic verdict. He said the ruling sends a clear message to Silicon Valley companies.
Meanwhile, lawyers for Meta argued against the massive financial penalty. They claimed the high amount shocks the conscience. However, the state argued that tech titans must follow the same rules as everyone else.
After that, the state revealed plans for the money. Attorney General Torrez said the funds will support the New Mexico education system. This total significantly exceeds previous federal fines against the company.
Still, the legal battle is not over yet. Meta plans to appeal the court decision. The company believes it can win on appeal to reduce the final amount.
Furthermore, Meta officials expressed frustration with the state's approach. They argued that these rules make it nearly impossible to conduct business in New Mexico. The company claims the lawsuit seeks to limit online speech.
Finally, this case traces back to the Cambridge Analytica data scandal. Millions of users had their personal data accessed without consent. This marks the second major legal loss for Meta in New Mexico this year.