New Mexico Jury Finds Meta Violated State Law
A Santa Fe jury ruled that Meta committed 43.9 million willful violations of the New Mexico Unfair Practices Act.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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A jury in Santa Fe has found that Meta committed nearly 43.9 million willful violations of the New Mexico Unfair Practices Act regarding its handling of user data. First Judicial District Court Judge Francis Mathew subsequently secured the judgment for the state of New Mexico.
Why it matters
The ruling holds Meta accountable for extensive violations of state law centered on how the company manages and reports user data handling practices. This judgment highlights significant legal challenges for major technology firms operating within the state.
A jury trial in the First Judicial District Court determined that Meta committed 43.9 million willful violations of the New Mexico Unfair Practices Act. The state secured this judgment against the company following proceedings in Santa Fe.
The players
Francis Mathew
He is a judge in the First Judicial District Court who presided over the legal action brought by the state.
Randi McGinn
She served as a lead attorney on the trial team that secured the legal victory for the state of New Mexico.
Corban Rhodes
He served as a lead attorney on the trial team that secured the legal victory for the state of New Mexico.
Meta
This global technology company owns social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram and is a frequent defendant in privacy-related litigation.
The details
The trial team, led by Randi McGinn and Corban Rhodes, successfully argued that the tech giant failed to uphold state standards regarding user data handling. These findings followed a jury trial that concluded in the First Judicial District Court.
Timeline
The judgment for the state was secured during the week of October 26, 2026.
Legal Context
The ruling marks a significant application of the New Mexico Unfair Practices Act in the context of digital consumer privacy rights. This verdict follows a broader trend of state-level legal challenges against large technology companies over data protection policies.
This verdict confirms that major tech companies operating in the state are subject to local oversight regarding how they handle private user data. The outcome may signal a shift in how state regulators monitor digital consumer rights and data privacy protocols for all residents.
The takeaway
This case underscores the reach of state consumer protection laws when applied to the vast data collection activities of global tech platforms. It serves as a reminder for residents to remain vigilant regarding the permissions and data sharing settings on their personal devices.
Further reading
Learn more about local proceedings in the Criminal Justice section of our site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Law.
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