NEW MEXICO, October 22, 2026: Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has reportedly been ordered to pay $25 billion in a case involving allegations that the company misled users about how their personal data was collected and used.
According to the reported ruling, a judge in the US state of New Mexico issued the order on Wednesday following a two-week trial held earlier this year.
The case centred on allegations that Meta had misrepresented its data practices to the public for years, raising questions about the company’s transparency and handling of user information.
The reported penalty, equivalent to approximately £18.6 billion, was described as the largest financial sanction imposed on Meta to date.
Court questions Meta’s data practices
According to the report, the court found that the alleged misrepresentations went beyond individual issues involving Facebook user data.
The judge reportedly concluded that the conduct concerned the foundations of Facebook’s business practices, rather than isolated failures in communicating privacy policies.
The findings focused on whether users had been given accurate information about the ways their personal information was handled by the platform.
The case highlights growing legal scrutiny of major technology companies over their collection, processing and use of personal data.
Meta faces wider legal challenges
The report also stated that Meta had faced other financial penalties and settlements during 2026.
Among them was a reported $18 billion settlement in California involving child safety concerns.
The New Mexico ruling, if confirmed as reported, would represent a significant financial consequence for the social media company and add to ongoing legal challenges surrounding privacy and platform accountability.
The supplied report did not specify whether Meta intended to appeal the decision or provide details of the company’s response.
A New Mexico jury found Meta liable for more than 43 million violations of state consumer protection laws. The lawsuit followed the Cambridge Analytica scandal, in which personal information from up to 87 million Facebook users was obtained without their consent.
Meta has announced that it will appeal the $25 billion judgment, meaning the final financial outcome remains subject to further legal proceedings.