Group of 67 French media companies sue Meta over business practices

A group of 67 French media companies, including TF1 and France TV, is suing Meta over alleged illegal digital advertising practices. They accuse Meta of abusing its market dominance through massive personal data collection.

By  Storyboard18| Apr 24, 2025 9:09 AM
Meta is set to stand trial in Spain this October over a €551 million lawsuit filed by more than 80 media companies, who allege it engaged in unfair advertising competition.

Adding to Meta's mounting legal troubles across Europe over competition and data privacy issues, a group of 67 French media companies, including TF1 and France TV, are suing Meta over alleged illegal digital advertising practices. They accuse Meta of abusing its market dominance through massive personal data collection.

The lawsuit was filed on April 23 before the Paris business tribunal court by the group representing 200 publications. Scott+Scott and French law firm Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier are representing the French media firms in the Paris case, as per Reuters.

Apart from the television companies, those involved include Figaro, Lagardere, L'express, La Depeche, Liberation, Radio France and Centre France.

On April 23, the European Commission also fined Meta €200 million under the Digital Markets Act for anti-competitive practices. Meta Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan said in a statement said the “Commission is attempting to handicap successful American businesses while allowing Chinese and European companies to operate under different standards.”

In February, digital rights activists in Europe filed complaints against Meta’s advertising practices. Additionally, the company is set to stand trial in Spain this October over a €551 million lawsuit filed by more than 80 media companies, who allege it engaged in unfair advertising competition.

Tags
First Published onApr 24, 2025 9:09 AM

SPOTLIGHT

How it WorksMIB’s Ashwini Vaishnaw at Storyboard18 DNPA Conclave: Govt working for fair compensation for media houses

At the Storyboard18 DNPA Conclave 2025, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw spotlighted the critical role of traditional media in an evolving digital landscape. He emphasized that such gatherings can aid the govt in formulating more effective policies for a balanced and sustainable media ecosystem.

Read More

IN PHOTOS: At Global Pioneers Summit, visionaries chart the future of business and creativity

From the chiefs of Nestle, Diageo, Colgate, PepsiCo, Zetwerk and CRED to AI visionaries, marketing mavens, top creators, ad legends and leading global agencies' CEOs, the brightest minds converged at the Storyboard18 Global Pioneers Summit for an action-packed day of meaningful dialogues on creativity, commerce and culture.