Technology

Judge orders Meta to pay $25bn to New Mexico over Cambridge Analytica

A jury found Meta misled consumers, and Meta says it expects to prevail on appeal.

Updated Oct 22, 2026 · 10:25 UTC15 reports

The short version

A New Mexico judge ordered Meta Platforms to pay $25bn after a jury found it misled consumers in a Cambridge Analytica-related case.[The Guardian]
The judge wrote that state law supported a penalty above $219bn but reduced the award to $25bn.[The Guardian]
Before the ruling, the state had sought $35bn to $40bn, while Meta urged a cap of $3.45bn.[The Guardian]
New Mexico's attorney general says all of the money must go to the state's school system, and Meta says it expects to prevail on appeal.[The Guardian · TechCrunch · CBS News]

A New Mexico judge ordered Meta Platforms to pay $25bn after a jury found the company misled consumers in a case arising from Cambridge Analytica allegations.[The Guardian]
Judge Francis Mathew wrote that state law warranted a penalty above $219bn but reduced the figure to $25bn.[The Guardian]
New Mexico's attorney general said state law directs all of the penalty money to the state's school system.[The Guardian]
At an October 1 hearing, New Mexico's lawyer asked the judge to award the state between $35bn and $40bn.[The Guardian]
In court filings, Meta urged the judge to cap penalties at $3.45bn.[The Guardian]
Meta's Chief Legal Officer, C.J. Mahoney, said the company is confident it will prevail on appeal.[TechCrunch · CBS News]

The ruling is subject to appeal, and Meta's challenge means the outcome remains unresolved.[TechCrunch · CBS News]
Meta's claim that the ruling makes doing business in New Mexico nearly impossible is the company's characterization, not an established finding.[CBS News]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.