Spain's Asociación de Medios de Información (AMI), or the Association of Media Outlets, filed a lawsuit against Meta in December 2023, claiming the company violated EU data protection laws. AMI is taking this legal action on behalf of more than 80 media organizations from Spain.
Allegations Against Meta
The media companies argue that Meta holds an unfair edge in the advertising market because it can access user data from platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp to deliver tailored advertisements. According to a report by Fortune, AMI claims that Meta has "systematically" broken the law from May 2018 to July 2023, running personalized ads with "an illegitimately obtained competitive advantage." EU regulations state that firms must obtain user consent before utilizing their data for advertising purposes.
Court Dates Set
A court in Madrid has confirmed the trial dates for October 2025. AMI aims to recover €550 million ($581 million or £456 million) as part of the lawsuit. The trial is scheduled for October 1 and 2, 2025.
Meta's Defense
Meta's legal team contends that the company has not violated any EU regulations. They assert that Meta does not utilize personal data for its targeted advertising, and therefore, it does not receive any competitive advantage.
In addition, Spanish radio and television networks have initiated their own lawsuit against Meta on similar claims. They are pursuing €160 million ($169 million or £132 million) in damages.
