An association representing 83 Spanish media outlets accuses the company of having a competitive advantage based on violations of EU data-protection regulations and could set a precedent for future cases. Credit: Thinkstock Facebook parent company Meta is facing yet another legal challenge over user privacy, as a Spanish media company representing top media outlets in the country is suing the social media giant for $600 million for competitively unfair advertising practices based on noncompliance with the EU’s General Data Privacy Regulation (GDPR). The Information Media Association (La Asociación de Medios de Información, or AMI), has filed a €550 million ($600 million) lawsuit against Meta, claiming Meta’s ability to design personalized advertising on its Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp platforms based on its enormous user base represents an unfair competitive advantage in the advertising market in Europe, which includes media companies. AMI represents 83 Spanish media outlets, including Prisa, which owns the country’s top newspaper, El Pais; Vocento, the owner of ABC; and Unidad Editorial S.L., a Spanish subsidiary of Italian company RCS MediaGroup which owns El Mundo, the second-largest paper in Spain. The association is accusing Meta of “systematic and massive non-compliance with European data protection regulations” during the period from May 25, 2018, until July 31, 2023,” according to a press statement. The regulation the group is referring to is the GDPR, first enacted in May 2018 and meant to create accountability among internet companies by forcing them to comply with requirements around data privacy to protect their users, or face steep penalties for noncompliance. That Facebook’s parent company is being sued over privacy is nothing new, as there have been numerous legal challenges resulting in settlements and fines — including 2019’s $5 billion fine by the US Trade Commission — -over Facebook’s data-collection policies and how it uses the data of people with accounts on its social-media platform. However, the case is different in that it could set a new legal precedent — it accuses the company of an unfair advantage in terms of advertising on the basis of the GDPR. This represents a new interpretation of the legislation, which when initially enacted was more focused on protecting users in the case of data breaches on the platform. If the case is successful, it could be the foundation for similar cases against Meta across Europe, experts said. In fact, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs, Nicolas Gonzalez Cuellar, said nearly as much in a comment published in an online report by Reuters. “Of course, in any other EU country, the same legal proceeding could be initiated” with regards to an alleged violation of European regulations, he told Reuters. The basis of the AMI’s argument is that Facebook has built its dominant position in online advertising by disregarding regulations aimed at protecting the privacy of its European users, reusing their data without their consent. This has caused damage to Spanish media companies who also use advertising revenue to support their businesses — to the point that their sustainability is at risk, according to a press statement by AMI president Jose Joly. Related content news analysis The EU has decided to open up iPadOS 'Our market investigation showed that despite not meeting the thresholds, iPadOS constitutes an important gateway on which many companies rely to reach their customers,' said the EU’s lead anti-competition regulator, Margrethe Vestige By Jonny Evans Apr 29, 2024 4 mins Apple Apple App Store iPad how-to A new Windows 11 backup and recovery paradigm? If used properly, new features built into Windows 11 offer safe, nearly complete backup, restore, repair, and recovery operations without third-party tools — but there are some caveats worth knowing. By Ed Tittel Apr 29, 2024 17 mins Windows 11 Backup and Recovery Windows feature Q&A: Georgia Tech dean details why the school needed a new AI supercomputer Georgia Tech partnered with Nvidia to roll out its first supercomputer so students can experiment with AI and machine learning to better prepare for a job market where those skills are now critical to success. By Lucas Mearian Apr 29, 2024 12 mins CPUs and Processors Education Industry Generative AI feature Windows 11 Insider Previews: What’s in the latest build? Get the latest info on new preview builds of Windows 11 as they roll out to Windows Insiders. Now updated for Build 22635.3566 for the Beta Channel, released on April 26, 2024. By Preston Gralla Apr 26, 2024 251 mins Small and Medium Business Microsoft Windows 11 Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe