LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The New Mexico Department of Justice (DOJ) launched the opening phase of its lawsuit against Facebook on Tuesday, calling key witnesses and video depositions from company executives Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg. The state alleges that Facebook’s messaging system was deliberately engineered to mislead the public about the collection and use of personal information.
Expert testimony targets Facebook’s messaging practices
An associate professor from a local university is expected to testify that Facebook’s internal communications were crafted to conceal the true nature of its data‑handling practices. The expert will argue that the platform’s design encouraged users to share personal details without a clear understanding of how that data would be monetized.
Company executives to address knowledge of the data breach
Zuckerberg and Sandberg are scheduled to appear via video deposition to answer questions about what Facebook knew regarding the 2013 data‑collection scandal and how the company responded after the breach was exposed. The DOJ says the executives will be asked to explain why the company failed to inform users until a whistleblower brought the issue to light in 2018.
Background of the Cambridge Analytica controversy
In 2008, Facebook hired Sheryl Sandberg to help turn user data into revenue streams. Seven years later, a personality‑test application on the platform harvested data from millions of users worldwide, most of whom did not give consent. That information was subsequently sold to Cambridge Analytica, which used it to create highly targeted political advertisements during the 2016 election cycle.
The New Mexico DOJ contends that Facebook’s delay in notifying users about the breach violated state consumer‑protection laws and exposed New Mexico residents to privacy risks. The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief to prevent further misuse of personal information and demands monetary damages for affected users.
State officials emphasize the importance of protecting families
Attorney General Raúl Torrez said the case underscores the need for strong privacy safeguards that protect families and uphold individual liberty. “New Mexicans deserve transparency and accountability from powerful tech companies that profit from their personal data,” Torrez said in a statement.
Local community leaders have expressed support for the state’s actions, noting that protecting personal information is essential for maintaining trust in digital platforms that families rely on daily.
What’s next in the litigation?
The case will move forward to the discovery phase, during which both sides will exchange documents and additional testimony. The DOJ has indicated that it may seek a court order requiring Facebook to change its data‑collection practices and to provide clearer disclosures to users.
Facebook has not yet commented publicly on the upcoming testimony, but its legal team is expected to argue that the company complied with all applicable laws at the time of the data collection and that subsequent policy changes were made in response to evolving industry standards.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
