New Mexico Jurors Heard Closing Arguments in Meta Trial
The jury has begun deliberations in a case over Facebook privacy claims.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Cybersecurity
Live Poll
Should social media companies face legal penalties for misleading users about their privacy protections?
Attorneys in New Mexico presented their closing arguments on Wednesday in a trial accusing Facebook of deceiving users about privacy. The state is pursuing claims that the company violated the New Mexico Unfair Practices Act.
Why it matters
New Mexico is the only state to bring these specific data breach claims to trial, marking a push for greater corporate accountability. The litigation seeks to force changes in how user data is managed and protected.
New Mexico is seeking civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation of state law following a two-week trial. Unlike 48 other states that reached a settlement earlier this year, New Mexico is the only state proceeding to a verdict.
The players
New Mexico
This state is the only one in the country that has proceeded to trial with these specific data breach claims against Meta.
Meta
This technology giant owns Facebook and Instagram and is the defendant in the ongoing privacy trial.
The details
The trial centers on allegations that Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, failed to protect user privacy as promised. Jurors must now decide if the company is liable for violations of state law, with the judge set to determine financial penalties should the jury find the company liable.
Timeline
Earlier this year, 48 states settled with Meta regarding data breach and safety concerns.
The trial evidence presentation lasted for a period of two weeks.
Attorneys presented closing arguments on Wednesday.
The Tech Race
This litigation highlights the growing tension between state-level consumer protection laws like the New Mexico Unfair Practices Act and the data-handling models of global social media platforms. It marks a departure from the multi-state settlement approach, signaling a potential shift toward localized regulatory enforcement.
If the state succeeds in its injunction, users in New Mexico could see changes to how their data is collected and protected on Meta platforms. The trial result may also set a precedent for how state laws can be used to hold tech companies accountable for privacy promises.
The takeaway
This case underscores the limitations of national settlements when individual states pursue independent legal action against large tech firms. Residents should remain aware that privacy protections can vary significantly depending on the specific legal landscape of their state.
Further reading
For more on the evolving standards for digital safety, visit Cybersecurity.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WTOP.
Live Poll
Should social media companies face legal penalties for misleading users about their privacy protections?
