{
  "id": 9942100,
  "title": "Jury finds Facebook liable for deceiving users in Cambridge Analytica case",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/jury-finds-facebook-liable-for-deceiving-users-in-cambridge-analytica-9942100",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-26T01:36:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hacker News Best",
    "slug": "hacker-news-best",
    "url": "https://www.cbsnews.com/news/facebook-liable-deceiving-users-cambridge-analytica/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The New Mexico jury handed down a significant verdict on Friday, holding Facebook liable for deceiving users regarding privacy protections on the social media platform. The case, which lasted two weeks in Santa Fe, centered around accusations that Facebook misled users about a data breach involving a third-party personality quiz that harvested data from approximately 87 million profiles. This data was then sold to the political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica, which used it to generate targeted ads for campaigns, including the 2016 Trump campaign.\n\nThe jury found Facebook to be in violation for failing to protect users' data on a scale that impacted New Mexico's population of over 2 million individuals. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez expressed his satisfaction with the verdict, stating that it sends a clear message that Facebook cannot operate under a different set of rules. He called it a historic decision, not just for the state but for all states striving to hold Big Tech accountable.\n\nFacebook attempted to argue that the state's evidence was outdated and that, despite having five years to gather materials, New Mexico had only found one instance of a data breach. However, the jury did not agree. Facebook's legal team argued that the company had the right to manage its platforms in a way it deemed best for its community, which included prioritizing free speech and protecting user information. However, this stance was rejected by the jury.\n\nThe company, through its spokesperson, expressed disagreement with the verdict and vowed to continue defending itself against what it called efforts to distort its record. Facebook also noted that free speech issues were a central theme in the case. It is important to note that Meta, Facebook's parent company, had already agreed in August to pay up to $18 billion to settle a multistate lawsuit over child safety issues, which included the Cambridge Analytica breach. This breach is buried in a 130-page settlement agreement, ensuring that Facebook cannot be held liable for future violations related to it.\n\nNew Mexico's legal action against Facebook marks a significant stance by the state against big tech companies. It is noteworthy that Florida, another state, did not sign the settlement deal, stating it was not stringent enough on Meta. In its previous related case, New Mexico won judgments totaling $942 million from Meta concerning the company's safety protocols for minors. The court also ordered Meta to implement new safeguards, including age-verification technology and time limits on its platforms.\n\nNew Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez issued a stern warning to other technology companies operating in the state: \"If you lie to New Mexicans about how you use their data, we will find out, and we will hold you accountable.\"",
  "summary": "Article URL: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/facebook-liable-deceiving-users-cambridge-analytica/ Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49852302 Points: 194 # Comments: 39",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Slashdot",
        "title": "Meta Made 43M Misleading Statements, New Mexico Jury Finds, Including on Its Cambridge Analytica Response",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/meta-made-43m-misleading-statements-new-mexico-jury-finds-including",
        "published": "2026-09-26T02:34:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}