Meta Platforms, Inc.

In March 2018 Facebook said the claim that the Cambridge Analytica matter was a data breach was completely false^S1. On 24 July 2019 the FTC announced a US$5 billion penalty for violating a 2012 privacy order^S2. A federal judge entered the order on 23 April 2020^S3. The same day in 2019 the SEC announced a US$100 million settlement over misleading risk disclosures, without admission^S4. On 30 October 2019 Facebook agreed to pay the UK ICO's £500,000 penalty without admitting liability^S5. Directors agreed in November 2025 to a US$190 million derivative settlement^S6, which a Delaware court approved in April 2026^S7.

Also known as: Facebook, Inc., Facebook, Meta
Headquarters: United States
Records from: United States, United Kingdom
Current status: Operating internet platform company, renamed from Facebook, Inc. Its 2019 FTC order took effect when a federal judge entered it on 23 April 2020^S3. A US$190 million Delaware shareholder settlement over Cambridge Analytica won final approval on 7 April 2026^S7.

Scope. This record covers the Cambridge Analytica data matter and the resulting US and UK regulatory and shareholder actions. It does not cover Meta's antitrust cases, EU data protection fines or the US consumer class action over the same events.

Claims assessed

4 claims. Scores grade the evidence for each claim, not the organization.

Partly supported76
Facebook said on 17 March 2018 that the claim that the Cambridge Analytica matter was a data breach was completely false.
Company statement, 17 March 20183 records citedDisclosure
Supported91
The FTC said on 24 July 2019 that Facebook would pay a US$5 billion penalty for violating its 2012 FTC privacy order.
Regulator statement, 24 July 20192 records citedDisclosure
Partly supported80
The SEC said in July 2019 that Facebook misled investors by presenting the risk of misuse of user data as hypothetical after it had learned of actual misuse.
Regulator statement, 24 July 20193 records citedDisclosure
Supported75
Outlook Business reported in November 2025 that current and former Meta directors agreed to pay US$190 million to settle the Cambridge Analytica shareholder lawsuit in Delaware.
Press report, 23 November 20254 records citedDisclosure

Cases and proceedings

United States v. Facebook, Inc.US District Court for the District of Columbia. Civil. Not published.Stage: Stipulated order entered on 23 April 2020.
- 23 April 2020 Judge Timothy J. Kelly enters the order^S3
Securities and Exchange Commission v. Facebook, Inc.US Securities and Exchange Commission. Civil. Not published.Stage: Settled without admitting or denying, with consent to the entry of a final judgment^S4.
- 24 July 2019 Settlement with US$100 million penalty and injunction announced^S4
Information Commissioner v. Facebook Inc. and Facebook Ireland LimitedUK Information Commissioner's Office and First-tier Tribunal. Regulatory. Not published.Stage: Appeals withdrawn by both sides under an agreement of 30 October 2019.
- 30 October 2019 Facebook agrees to pay the £500,000 penalty with no admission of liability, and both sides withdraw their appeals^S5^S9
In re Facebook, Inc. Derivative LitigationDelaware Court of Chancery. Civil. C.A. No. 2018-0307-JRS, as listed by plaintiffs' counsel.Stage: Settlement approved on 7 April 2026.
- 23 November 2025 Settlement reported^S6
- 7 April 2026 Final approval granted, as reported^S7^S8

Responses on record

Meta Platforms, Inc. directors, 23 November 2025, on Outlook Business reported in November 2025 that current and former Meta directors agreed t...
The defendants denied wrongdoing, according to Outlook Business.^S6

Revision history

25 October 2026 Profile and 4 assessments first published. Records checked to 25 October 2026.

Source records

S3Tier A FTC Gives Final Approval to Modify FTC's 2012 Privacy Order with Facebook with Provisions from 2019 SettlementUS Federal Trade Commission. Regulator press release. 28 April 2020.Supports the court entry date. It does not state a case number.
S4Tier A Facebook to Pay $100 Million for Misleading Investors About the Risks It Faced From Misuse of User DataUS Securities and Exchange Commission. Regulator press release. 24 July 2019.Supports the SEC charges and settlement. Facebook did not admit or deny.
S5Tier D ICO and Facebook reach agreement regarding misuse of data in political campaignsSociety for Computers and Law. Press report. 30 October 2019.Professional body report quoting the ICO statement on the agreement. The ICO page itself was not read.
S9Tier C Facebook agrees to pay UK data watchdog’s Cambridge Analytica fine but settles without admitting liabilityTechCrunch. Press report. 30 October 2019.Report by Natasha Lomas confirming the 30 October 2019 agreement, the full payment, the absence of an admission and the dropped appeals. The ICO page itself was not read.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
S6Tier C Meta Directors, Including Mark Zuckerberg, Agree to $190 Mn Settlement in Cambridge Analytica Shareholder SuitOutlook Business. Press report. 23 November 2025.Desk report crediting ET on the settlement terms. The insurance funding is reported, not confirmed.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
S7Tier C Meta Privacy Claims Settlement Backed by Delaware Business CourtBloomberg Law. Press report. 7 April 2026.Report by Jennifer Kay on final approval. Only the open excerpt was read.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
S8Tier B Facebook Derivative LitigationBerman Tabacco. Company statement. Undated case page, copyright 2026.Case page of a plaintiffs' law firm giving the caption, the civil action number, the US$190,000,000 amount and the approval date. It is counsel's own account, not the court order.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
S1Tier B Suspending Cambridge Analytica and SCL Group From FacebookFacebook (Meta Newsroom). Company statement. 16 March 2018, updated 17 March 2018.Facebook's account and its breach denial. It is the company's position, not a finding.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
S2Tier A FTC Imposes $5 Billion Penalty and Sweeping New Privacy Restrictions on FacebookUS Federal Trade Commission. Regulator press release. 24 July 2019.Supports the penalty and the alleged order violation. It contains no admission.