Meta ordered to pay $25 billion in New Mexico Cambridge Analytica case

The case concerned allegations that Meta misled users about its data practices, with the dispute focusing on consumer deception and privacy practices associated with Cambridge Analytica. The ruling involved more than 43 million alleged violations of New Mexico consumer-protection or unfair-practices law.

The procedural descriptions in the available reports differ in emphasis. The Verge and other publications describe a New Mexico judge imposing the penalty, while South China Morning Post reports that a Santa Fe jury first found Meta had violated the state's consumer-protection law before the civil penalty was issued.

South China Morning Post identifies the judge as New Mexico state-court Judge Francis Mathew and describes the $25 billion award as among the largest verdicts in U.S. legal history. That characterization remains attributed to the publication rather than independently established by the supplied evidence.

Business Insider said the penalty could be the largest imposed against Meta in the company's history. The supplied evidence supports that qualified description, but does not establish categorically that it is Meta's largest penalty ever.

Deutsche Welle said the Cambridge Analytica breach took place during Donald Trump's first presidential campaign. The available reports do not establish whether Meta will appeal the order, whether the penalty is immediately enforceable, or how the $25 billion figure is broken down.