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Dear Partners,
Today, the New Mexico Department of Justice again scored a significant victory for New Mexico consumers, holding one of the world’s largest technology companies accountable for its conduct. A New Mexico jury has found Facebook liable for 43,899,725 violations of the Unfair Practices Act—marking one of the largest consumer‑protection rulings in state history and the first case of its kind in the nation to reach a jury verdict.
Below is excerpted language from our press release. You can read the full release and watch the press conference here: https://nmdoj.gov/press-release/jury-finds-facebook-violated-new-mexico-consumer-protection-law-faces-billions-in-potential-civil-penalties/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2026
Jury Finds Facebook Violated New Mexico Consumer Protection Law, Faces Billions in Potential Civil Penalties
Verdict finds company made deceptive statements on data privacy, misinformation, and hate speech following the Cambridge Analytica scandal
Santa Fe, NM – In a major victory for the New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDOJ), today a jury in the landmark State of New Mexico v. Facebook, Inc. trial found that Facebook committed 43,899,725 violations of New Mexico’s Unfair Practices Act (UPA) by making false and misleading statements to New Mexico consumers about how the company collected, protected, shared, and used their personal information, and its claimed efforts to protect against misinformation and hate speech on its platform.
“For years, Facebook operated as if the rules that apply to everyone else didn't apply to them. Today, a jury of New Mexicans said otherwise,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “This is a historic verdict, not just for New Mexico, but for every state fighting to hold Big Tech accountable.”
Under the UPA, courts may impose civil penalties of up to $5,000 for each willful violation. With more than 43.8 million violations found by the jury, Facebook’s potential financial exposure could reach into the billions of dollars. The actual penalty amount is left entirely to the judge’s discretion and will be determined in a later phase of the case.
“Let this be a warning to every technology company doing business in our state,” Torrez said. “If you lie to New Mexicans about how you use their data, we will find out, and we will hold you accountable.”
Read more from today’s press release or watch the press conference here.
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