Santa Fe – New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez hailed a jury verdict ordering Meta Platforms Inc. to pay $25 billion as a historic win for the state’s consumers. The judgment stems from a 43 million‑count finding that Meta violated the state’s Unfair Practices Act by misleading users about how their personal information was collected and shared.
Jury finds massive privacy violations
During a September trial in Santa Fe, a jury concluded that Meta employed a strategy to deceive New Mexicans about data privacy. The case focused on a third‑party quiz that ran on Facebook, harvesting data from millions of profiles and later providing it to Cambridge Analytica. The jury determined that Meta made false statements claiming it did not sell or share personal information with advertisers, a clear breach of the state’s consumer‑protection law.
Torrez promises to fight for the payout
“We intend to do everything in our power to make sure those resources are eventually delivered to the state of New Mexico,” Torrez said in a press conference. He emphasized that the ruling sends a strong message to large technology firms about the importance of transparency and accountability.
Legal road ahead
Legal analyst John Day warned that the path to actual payment will be lengthy. “So it’s going to be a long, long time before New Mexico sees a penny in this case,” he explained, noting that Meta has already filed an appeal and the matter could ultimately reach the U.S. Supreme Court.
Meta’s statement on the appeal read, “This ruling, and the attorney general’s approach to this enforcement, makes it all but impossible to do business in the state of New Mexico.” The company suggested that the decision could lead to broader restrictions on access to its platforms for New Mexicans, though Day said the outcome remains uncertain.
Potential impact on New Mexico residents
If the judgment is upheld, the $25 billion could be directed toward a range of state priorities, including education, infrastructure, and health services. Torrez indicated that the funds would be allocated in a manner that benefits families and communities across the state, aligning with New Mexico’s long‑term development goals.
Day added, “In other words, shutting down access for people in New Mexico to the various media platforms Instagram, Facebook and so on, whether or not they actually do that. Who knows?” He noted that the appeal process could set precedents for how other states handle similar privacy disputes.
What’s next for New Mexico?
The AG’s office plans to continue monitoring the appeal and will keep the public informed of any developments. Torrez urged New Mexicans to stay engaged and to support efforts that protect their digital privacy rights.
As the case moves through the appellate system, the state’s legal community will be watching closely, recognizing that the outcome could influence future enforcement actions against technology companies nationwide.
Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.
