Meta ordered to pay New Mexico $25 billion after judge trims a $219 billion penalty

Judge Francis Mathew ruled Wednesday that Meta Platforms owed New Mexico $219.5 billion, then trimmed the fine to $25 billion. The order sets the amount Facebook will pay in the state’s Cambridge Analytica case. Mathew multiplied the jury’s count of more than 43 million violations by $5,000 each. New Mexico’s Unfair Practices Act provides for no greater penalty per violation. The interest is 15% a year until Meta pays in full. The court deferred injunctive relief pending further briefing. New Mexico sought between $35 billion and $40 billion. Meta asked the judge to restrict penalties to $3.45 billion, saying that a higher number would risk chasing businesses out of the state. “Facebook systematically misled the public regarding the core of its business operations,” Mathew said.

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