In a landmark decision, a jury in New Mexico has ruled that Facebook deceived the state's residents regarding the use and management of their personal data. The trial centered on the Cambridge Analytica scandal, recognized as one of the most significant privacy breaches in internet history.
A Sole Legal Challenge
New Mexico stands as the only U.S. state to pursue court action over this specific case. The proceedings highlighted how the British firm Cambridge Analytica exploited the personal data of tens of thousands of Facebook users for political purposes, collecting information without their knowledge or consent.
The jury in Santa Fe determined that each of the state's 2.1 million residents was deceived. This finding equates to an identical number of violations under consumer protection laws.
Potential Financial Consequences
Following the jury's verdict, it is now up to the judge to determine the final penalty. Under the applicable law, the fine can reach up to $5,000 per violation. Theoretically, this places Facebook at risk of a staggering total fine of $10.5 billion.
The fallout from the scandal has already claimed its primary catalyst; Cambridge Analytica filed for bankruptcy in 2018 shortly after the data practices were brought to light.
