Staff Reports
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Justice’s trial against Facebook concerning the Cambridge Analytica data breach began Sept. 8 in New Mexico’s First Judicial District Court. Following the Sept. 8 jury selection, the Court expects to begin Sept. 9 with opening statements, followed by witness testimony and video depositions featuring new expert insights and previously unheard testimony from the social media company.
“Facebook’s data breach didn’t just expose private information, it revealed a pattern of misrepresentation about how user data was collected, shared, and exploited,” Attorney General Raúl Torrez said in a press release. “This case is about holding one of the world’s largest corporations accountable for violating the trust of New Mexicans and users across the globe.”
The trial is expected to last approximately four weeks, and the State will present its case first. Anticipated State witnesses, in order, include corporate propaganda expert Calum Matheson, video deposition of Mark Zuckerberg, video deposition of former Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg (who was tasked with turning user data into revenue) and corporate propaganda expert Sam Woolley. The witness schedule is subject to change.
The State is seeking injunctive relief to prevent similar practices in the future as well as the maximum civil penalties available under the Unfair Practices Act for each violation.
