Meta’s Facebook Found Liable for Deceiving Users in Cambridge Analytica Scandal

By douglasharrington // 2026-09-29

Mastodon

Parler

Gab

Copy

A New Mexico jury found Facebook liable on Friday, Sept. 25, for deceiving users about privacy protections on its platform, according to court records. The jury found more than 43 million violations of the state’s consumer protection law. The case was tried in Santa Fe over two weeks. It centered on the social media company's handling of a data breach tied to a third-party personality quiz ("This Is Your Digital Life") that harvested data from roughly 87 million profiles and sold it to Cambridge Analytica, a now-defunct political consulting firm. The firm's clients included the 2016 campaign for now-President Donald Trump, according to a trial testimony. The New Mexico Department of Justice said in a statement that the verdict marks a significant victory for consumers and holds one of the world’s largest technology companies accountable for its conduct. "We disagree with the verdict and will continue to defend ourselves against efforts to distort our record," Meta spokesperson Alex Burgos said in an email.

Trial Centered on Data Breach and Deceptive Statements

Jurors found that Facebook made deceptive statements about protecting user data, affecting New Mexico’s entire population of more than two million people. The jury also found that Facebook misled the public about investigations into third-party app developers that harvest user data after the Cambridge Analytica scandal [9]. The state claimed that Facebook profited off harmful content and allowed violent or inaccurate content to proliferate. Facebook denied those claims. The jury reviewed 34 statements made by the company about data protections and content policies, finding that the company deceived users about its practices in almost every case. In one of the few wins for the defense, jurors found that the state did not prove that Facebook made false claims about removing harmful content, including misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic. The Cambridge Analytica episode drew wide attention to how social media platforms collect and monetize user data. Internal documents handed to lawmakers in the United Kingdom were also reported to show that Facebook repeatedly disregarded privacy protections [2].

Facebook Claims State’s Evidence Was Outdated

During closing arguments, lawyers for Facebook claimed the state’s evidence was outdated. They said that despite having five years to gather material, New Mexico found only one other instance of a data breach. Facebook argued that it has adapted its policies since the lawsuit was filed in 2021 and that it removes 99% of content that violates standards [9]. Burgos said in an email that Meta’s platforms are forums for free expression and that the company has a First Amendment right to manage them. In a deposition played for jurors, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the company had robust systems to determine whether content should be taken down. During closing arguments, Randi McGinn, an attorney representing the state, argued that Facebook profited off harmful content. Lawyers for the company denied that claim. A former Facebook insider later described how content moderation decisions at the company were made by a small team with global reach. In an interview with Mike Adams, former Facebook content moderator Ryan Hartwig said that policy decisions were crafted by a small team of about six people who make global decisions [3]. Burgos’s statement emphasized that Meta prioritizes free speech, protects users’ information, and gives users control over their data, according to the company.

Judge to Decide Penalties at Later Date

The judge will decide on penalties at a later date, but that hearing has not been set, according to court officials. It will be up to the state to decide where the money will go. The state is also seeking an injunction to stop similar practices in the future [9]. In August, Meta agreed to pay up to $18 billion to settle a multistate lawsuit involving child safety issues. Buried in the 130-page settlement was an agreement to release Meta from future liability related to the Cambridge Analytica privacy breach, making New Mexico the only state to decide to pursue a case on its own. Florida was the only other state that did not sign the settlement, saying it was not tough enough on Meta. Recent reports place the multistate settlement figure at $16.7 billion, with $459 million tied specifically to Cambridge Analytica [4]. Also this year, New Mexico won judgments totaling $942 million from Meta in a two-phase trial about the company’s safety protections for minors. The court ordered Meta to implement new safeguards, including age-verification technology and time limits on its platforms. The New Mexico Department of Justice said the verdict holds one of the world’s largest technology companies accountable for its conduct.

Other Legal Actions and Implications

The Cambridge Analytica scandal also prompted a public backlash. Nearly one in ten Americans deleted their Facebook account after the #DeleteFacebook movement began [6]. The scandal exposed the information of millions of users and raised questions about how social media platforms collect and use personal data. Facebook later faced a privacy breach that compromised more than 500 million users’ personal data, including phone numbers, full names, and email addresses, according to reporting from NaturalNews.com [7]. As the legal process continues, the New Mexico case may influence how other states and regulators approach similar claims. The judge’s eventual decision on penalties and the state’s request for an injunction will be closely watched.

References

"The Facebook Dilemma". Mercola.com. November 17, 2018.
"More Zuckerberg crimes EXPOSED: Internal documents prove that Facebook is a lawless, data-mining criminal operation". NaturalNews.com. December 7, 2018.
Mike Adams. "Mike Adams interview with Ryan Hartwig". June 30, 2021.
"Meta agrees to pay $16 billion over Facebook, Instagram addiction". LifeSiteNews. August 28, 2026.
"Lawsuit: Facebook overpaid FTC by $5 billion to shield Zuckerberg". NaturalNews.com. October 8, 2021.
"Almost 1 out of every 10 Americans have deleted their Facebook account since the #DeleteFacebook movement started". NaturalNews.com. June 6, 2018.
"More than 500 million users’ personal data compromised in Facebook privacy breach". NaturalNews.com. April 8, 2021.
Sam Ghosh and Subhasis Gorai. "The Age of Decentralization".
"Meta’s Facebook found liable for deceiving users in Cambridge Analytica scandal". NYPost.com. September 25, 2026.