New York: A court has ordered Meta to pay the US state of New Mexico $25 billion after finding that Facebook misled users about how their personal data was collected and protected.
The order is reported to be the largest fine yet against the technology company. The case was brought by the New Mexico Attorney General's office.
The size and details of the penalty are still open to dispute, and the company is expected to take legal steps against the order. Meta has handled data belonging to a very large number of users through Facebook.
Regulators worldwide have turned their attention to how technology companies handle data. How customer information is used, and how consent is obtained for it, sit at the centre of the case.
The ruling gives regulators in other countries a precedent for taking firm action against large technology companies. In India too, companies carry obligations under the digital personal data protection law.
Meta has faced data and privacy penalties in several countries before. The new fine is expected to push greater seriousness on the security of users' information.
Experts say the ruling is a sign that rules on transparency in data handling are tightening.
Privacy and data-protection rules are tightening across the United States, Europe and India. Companies are increasingly required to keep transparent records of how consent is obtained and how information is handled. The ruling is expected to push large technology firms to review their data policies. In India, consumers have a right to complain under the digital personal data protection law.