A Spanish court has ordered Meta to pay €479 million ($552 million) to 87 digital media companies after ruling that the tech giant gained an illegal competitive edge by improperly using personal data for targeted advertising, Reuters reported.
According to Madrid’s Commercial Court, Meta violated the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and, by extension, Spain’s antitrust laws by processing user data on Facebook and Instagram without valid legal justification. The decision marks one of the largest court-ordered payouts to media companies over data misuse in Europe.
The dispute centers on Meta’s shift in 2018 — when the GDPR took effect — from obtaining user consent to claiming that behavioral advertising was “necessary for the performance of a contract.” Regulators across Europe later found this rationale inadequate under the GDPR’s strict consent requirements.
The court concluded that Meta earned at least €5.3 billion in advertising profits during the five years it relied on this legal basis, treating the entire amount as unlawfully obtained. The €479 million award will be distributed among Spanish digital publishers and news agencies that argued Meta’s data practices distorted competition in the online advertising market.
Meta did not immediately comment on the ruling, Reuters noted.
The decision adds to a growing list of European regulatory actions targeting Meta’s data and advertising practices. Last year, the European Commission fined the company nearly €800 million for tying Facebook Marketplace to Facebook’s core platform and imposing unfair conditions on competitors. A similar lawsuit from French media groups is underway.
Spain’s government has also increased scrutiny of Meta. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said this week that lawmakers will investigate allegations the company used hidden tracking mechanisms on Android devices — claims Meta said it would address with regulators.
The ruling is subject to appeal, but it signals Europe’s continued willingness to challenge the business models of major tech platforms and enforce strict data protection standards across the region.
Need Help?
If you have questions or concerns about how to navigate the global AI regulatory landscape, don’t hesitate to reach out to BABL AI. Their Audit Experts can offer valuable insight, and ensure you’re informed and compliant.