States Can Fine Platforms Billions

A state jury in New Mexico found >43 million consumer‑level misleading statements by Facebook/Meta and the law allows penalties of up to $5,000 per violation, creating a literal pathway to multi‑billion dollar fines. This case shows states can use unfair‑practices laws and per‑person penalties to convert corporate communications and privacy misrepresentations into crippling financial exposure and to demand audits or corrective orders. — If other states adopt the same enforcement logic, platforms face material legal and compliance risk that will influence product design, transparency, and political lobbying — shifting the balance of power between governments and Big Tech.