Staff Reports
A judge in Santa Fe postponed a ruling on the penalties in the state’s recent case against Facebook.
A New Mexico jury found Facebook liable for deceiving users about privacy protections. They found millions of violations of the state’s consumer protection law.
Attorneys for the state initially asked for the maximum $5,000 penalty per violation. However, on Oct. 1, attorneys for the state said they would be willing to accept a total of $35 billion. Facebook’s attorneys argued even that number would be astronomical.
The state argued the lower amount would still make Meta accountable. State attorneys said Meta only seems to learn through money or the value of its stock price.
Meta’s defense argued the amount was still unconstitutional. Defense attorneys said the penalty far exceeds past state settlements and would be the largest penalty in U.S. history.
First Judicial District Judge Francis Mathew decided to postpone a ruling until more filings are made by both sides. Matthew said a final ruling is not expected until two weeks from Oct. 6.
