Judge orders Meta to pay $25 billion to New Mexico over state consumer law violations

A district judge in Santa Fe has ordered Meta Platforms to pay $25 billion to New Mexico after a jury found the company violated a state consumer protection law, according to a report citing court records.

The decision follows a September jury verdict in the case, the report said. The order was issued Wednesday, with the amount reflecting the state’s claims as found by the jury.

The case is part of a broader wave of state-led consumer and privacy enforcement actions targeting large technology companies. Even when allegations do not lead to criminal charges, state civil and consumer protection statutes can expose firms to large damages awards.

For Meta, the ruling adds to ongoing legal and regulatory scrutiny across the areas where its platforms intersect with consumer protections, including how users interact with content, how platforms manage complaints, and how companies disclose and enforce rules that affect user experiences.

Meta, which operates Facebook, Instagram, and other services, has faced repeated questions from regulators and litigants over platform conduct and the company’s responsibilities to users and advertisers. While the court order is specific to New Mexico’s case, it could influence how other jurisdictions frame similar claims.

A key element of how the dispute reached this point, based on the report, is that a jury found violations in September and the judge later translated that finding into a damages order. The damages figure, $25 billion, is unusually large for a single state action, making any appeal or follow-on litigation likely to be closely watched.

What remains unclear from the available account is the precise conduct at issue, which sections of the New Mexico consumer protection law were found violated, whether the judge applied any statutory enhancements, and whether Meta had additional remedies imposed beyond monetary damages.

The next steps in the case will likely determine how much of the award, if any, Meta ultimately has to pay. Appeals and any related procedural rulings could also clarify the legal standards applied, shaping risk calculations for the platform industry more broadly.