Meta Ordered to Pay $25 Billion Penalty in New Mexico Privacy Case
The New York Times and ABC News reported on Wednesday, October 21, that Meta was ordered to pay $25 billion for deceiving users on privacy. The Times described the penalty as one of the largest ever levied against the company. According to the Times, it stemmed from a lawsuit brought by New Mexico. CNBC reported the penalty is tied to the Cambridge Analytica scandal in New Mexico. Axios and the Los Angeles Times reported it was for misleading Facebook users about data privacy and that the scandal dated back more than eight years.
State consumer protection cases can reach a company's finances even years after a scandal, and a figure this large sets a reference point for other state attorneys general. The case shows that privacy claims about Facebook are still producing penalties long after the original disclosures.
If you use Facebook or Instagram, the ruling concerns how the company described its data practices to users. It does not by itself change any setting on your account.
State officials and privacy advocates see a penalty of this size as accountability for misleading users about their data. The case was brought by New Mexico on behalf of its residents.
The company's side, in the reports reviewed, was not described in detail. Defenders of large tech companies often argue that penalties tied to events from many years ago should reflect changes made since then.
Confirmed: a $25 billion penalty was ordered in the New Mexico case, per five outlets. Not confirmed: payment timing and any appeal. Watch for Meta's response and any filing in the case today.
DailyDrop U.S. No. 18 · October 22, 2026