Spanish Media Vs. Meta: Lawsuit Seeks $598.6 Million for Data Privacy Violations and Unfair Competition
A group of Spanish media outlets has launched a lawsuit against Meta Platforms, parent company of Facebook and Instagram, accusing the company of breaching European data-protection laws. The Asociacion de Medios de Informacion is seeking €550m ($598.6m) in damages, claiming that Meta's platforms used personal data without consent, giving the company an unfair advantage in the advertising sector. The lawsuit could have ramifications beyond Spain, potentially leading to similar actions in other EU countries. This legal battle reflects ongoing efforts by legacy media to assert their rights in relation to tech giants.
A group representing more than 80 media outlets in Spain has filed a lawsuit against Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, alleging that the company has failed to comply with European data-protection laws. The lawsuit, filed by the Asociacion de Medios de Informacion (AMI), seeks more than 550 million euros ($598.6 million) in damages from Meta. The AMI claims that Meta's platforms have used personal data without users' consent, giving the company an unfair advantage in the advertising market.
SPANISH MEDIA ASSOCIATION FILES $598 MILLION LAWSUIT AGAINST META (Reuters)
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A group representing 83 Spanish media outlets on Monday said it has filed a 550-million-euro lawsuit against Facebook owner Meta Platforms, citing unfair competition in the advertising market. pic.twitter.com/5wKHA6HG04
The media outlets argue that Meta's widespread and systematic use of personal data from platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp enables the company to design and offer personalized advertisements, constituting unfair competition. The newspapers involved in the lawsuit, which include El Pais and ABC, allege that Meta has used personal data obtained without express consent from clients, violating the EU General Data Protection Regulation. This lawsuit could have implications beyond Spain, as the alleged violation concerns European regulations. According to Nicolas Gonzalez Cuellar, a lawyer representing the newspapers, similar legal actions could be initiated in other EU countries. It is important to note that this is not the first time legacy media has battled tech giants in court in an effort to protect their interests.
Media organizations around the world have long sought fair compensation from tech giants for using and sharing their content. This legal action by the Spanish media follows previous victories against tech giants in the country. In 2014, the Spanish government shut down Alphabet's Google News service, which later reopened in 2022 under new legislation that allows media outlets to directly negotiate fees with the tech giant. Other countries, including Canada, have implemented regulations to ensure internet giants pay for news content following the Spanish case.
Meta Platforms has not yet responded to the lawsuit or received any legal documents. However, the company's press office has not made an immediate comment on the matter. In July, the European Union's top court ruled that Meta would require consent for certain types of targeted advertisements based on users' online activity, disrupting Meta's efforts to protect its business model reliant on targeted advertising. Subsequently, Meta announced that it would provide users in the European Union with the option to continue using Facebook or Instagram for free with ads or pay a monthly subscription without ads, allowing subscribers to avoid personalized advertising and information processing by Meta.
