New Mexico jury has found Facebook, owned by Meta, liable for deceiving users about privacy protections on its platform. This verdict represents a significant legal setback for the social media giant, potentially costing it billions of dollars, according to a report by Security Week.
The jury determined that Facebook committed over 43 million violations of state consumer protection law. The case centered on accusations that Facebook misled users regarding data protection following a breach involving a third-party personality quiz that harvested data from approximately 87 million profiles. This data was subsequently sold to Cambridge Analytica for targeted advertising. Jurors found that Facebook made deceptive statements about protecting user data, impacting New Mexico's entire population of over two million people.
The company also misled the public about investigations into third-party app developers that harvest user data. Facebook disputes the verdict, calling the state's evidence outdated. While the jury found Facebook not liable for false claims about removing harmful content, the judge will now determine the penalties, with the state seeking a maximum of $5,000 per violation. Experts suggest the financial impact on Meta may be unclear given the company's profitability, though potential penalties could exceed $200 billion if the maximum is awarded.
Source: Security Week
