Meta ordered to pay $25B penalty in New Mexico Cambridge Analytica case(cnbc.com)
682 points by cbg0 4 days ago | 416 comments
tl;dr: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $25 billion in penalties stemming from the state's Cambridge Analytica-related data privacy lawsuit, after a jury found over 43 million violations of the state's unfair practices act. The fine was reduced from a potential $219.5 billion, with 15% annual interest accruing until paid. Meta plans to appeal, with its chief legal officer arguing the ruling makes it "all but impossible to do business" in New Mexico.
HN Discussion:
  • ↑The $25B fine is significant and should finally deter Meta's harmful behavior
  • ~The fine is trivial relative to Meta's revenue and won't meaningfully impact them
  • ↓Meta will appeal and get the fine substantially reduced, making the headline misleading
  • ↓Questions why Meta is targeted instead of Cambridge Analytica, the actual misuser
  • •Provides context about Meta's declining privacy protections and political maneuvering