Spanish Court Orders Meta to Compensate Digital Media Outlets
Washington, D.C. – Dr. Courtney C. Radsch, Director of the Center for Journalism & Liberty at Open Markets Institute issued the following statement regarding the Madrid Commercial Court order for Meta to pay €479 million to 87 Spanish digital media outlets. It ruled that Meta abused user data - including “personal and protected” data - across Facebook and Instagram for hyper-targeted advertising, giving it a “significant competitive advantage” over Spanish media, in violation of GDPR rules and competition law. Over a roughly 5-year period the company earned at least €5.3 billion via advertising by exploiting protected private data under the guise of “necessity for contract performance” instead of obtaining user consent.
“This decision emphasizes that all businesses, including dominant platforms, must comply with law and cannot profit through data practices that undercut privacy and fair competition (which is essential to the economic viability of the press),” said Dr. Radsch. “While this is a critical step toward leveling the playing field in Spain, more structural reforms and sustained accountability throughout Europe and the rest of the world will be needed to prevent unfair business practices that both violate the law and undermine the sustainability of journalism.”
The ruling comes amid similar efforts in France, where about 200 media organizations have filed a similar lawsuit accusing Meta of exploiting user data in breach of GDPR to corner digital ad revenue.
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