New Mexico Attorneys Accused Meta of User Deception
State lawyers concluded a two-week trial seeking civil penalties for alleged privacy violations.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Cybersecurity
Live Poll
Should social media companies face legal penalties for misleading users about their privacy protections?
Attorneys in New Mexico presented closing arguments on Wednesday in a trial accusing Meta of deceiving Facebook users regarding privacy protections. The state is the only one to bring these data breach claims to a jury.
Why it matters
New Mexico pursued this trial to press for increased corporate accountability regarding user privacy protections. The case challenges Meta on the state level despite a settlement reached by 48 other states earlier this year.
The state is seeking civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation of the New Mexico Unfair Practices Act. The judge remains responsible for determining the final financial penalty amount following any potential jury verdict.
The players
Meta
A technology conglomerate that owns Facebook and Instagram and manages a massive social media infrastructure.
New Mexico
The state government acting as the sole prosecutor in this privacy trial under its Unfair Practices Act.
The details
The trial, which concluded its two-week presentation of evidence this Wednesday, focuses on whether Meta misled users about how their data was protected on the Facebook platform. Attorneys are asking the jury to find the company liable for deceptive practices under the state's Unfair Practices Act, a law designed to protect consumers from fraudulent trade practices. If the jury finds in favor of the state, the court will move to determine damages and an injunction to prevent future data breaches.
Timeline
Earlier this year, 48 states reached a settlement with Meta regarding privacy concerns.
On Wednesday, attorneys presented closing arguments in the New Mexico trial.
The Tech Race
This litigation highlights a significant divergence in legal strategy compared to the national settlement reached by 48 states earlier this year. While most states finalized agreements on privacy and child safety, New Mexico continues to pursue a trial to test the application of the New Mexico Unfair Practices Act against Meta.
The outcome of this trial could set a precedent for how individual states enforce privacy standards for platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Residents should monitor the jury verdict to see if the state's request for an injunction leads to changes in how Meta handles user data.
The takeaway
The jury has begun deliberations to decide if Meta is liable for the alleged privacy violations presented during the two-week trial. Observers should track the pending verdict to see if the state secures the requested civil penalties and injunctions against the company.
Further reading
For broader trends in digital privacy litigation, visit Cybersecurity.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WTOP.
Live Poll
Should social media companies face legal penalties for misleading users about their privacy protections?
