Meta hit with $25 billion fine for illegally sharing user data
A judge in New Mexico has fined Meta $25 billion for its flouting of data privacy laws between 2010 and 2021, including its controversial passing of data to Cambridge Analytica . The action serves as a stark reminder to enterprises not to play fast and loose with data protection legislation, as the consequences could be highly damaging. Meta faced the court action after it was revealed that data…
A New Mexico judge has imposed a $25 billion fine on Meta for violating data privacy laws from 2010 to 2021. This includes the unauthorized sharing of user data with Cambridge Analytica. The ruling underscores the potential risks for businesses that disregard data protection regulations. The fine was less than the maximum possible—$219 billion—highlighting the financial scale of potential misconduct under New Mexico law.
Judge Francis Mathew highlighted the gravity of Meta's transgressions, stating the harm caused is "difficult to overstate." Meta admitted to over 43 million breaches of New Mexico's consumer protection laws and violated users' trust by granting third-party developers access to personal information without permission. The company plans to appeal the decision.
Meta's recent months have been challenging; in August, the company settled a $18 billion claim related to children's access to its platforms, and in July, it was fined nearly $1 billion in New Mexico for failing to safeguard minors' data. Globally, data protection is a growing concern, with GDPR breaches in Europe increasing by 22% last year, resulting in a record €1.2 billion in fines as legislators aim to penalize big tech companies more strictly.
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