Meta ordered to pay $25 billion in New Mexico Cambridge Analytica case

What happened

A judge in New Mexico ruled on claims that Meta misled users around the 2018 Cambridge Analytica scandal and related incidents, ordering the company to pay $25 billion.

The figure is far higher than the $17 billion settlement Meta reached with state attorneys general this summer, which resolved similar claims brought by most other states.

Why it matters

The ruling raises the question of whether the other states should have asked for more. But the outcome depends on several factors, most notably whether the $25 billion order holds up against Meta's legal challenges.

Meta's legal team is preparing to contest the ruling, arguing against the legal basis for the penalty.

What it means for readers

The case bears directly on how large platforms are held responsible for user data and child safety. If upheld, the ruling could raise the bar for damages sought by states in similar cases.