EU court rejects Meta challenge against EU antitrust requests for information
Europe’s second-highest court has rejected a challenge by Meta Platforms against EU antitrust regulators. The move came after the European Commission sought information related to its investigation into Facebook’s data and online marketplace. Meta Platforms had accused the competition enforcer of being a fishing super trawler that hoovers up data. However, the Luxembourg-based General Court said the company was unable to demonstrate that the request for search term-identified documents went beyond what was necessary or that the establishment of a virtual data room had failed to protect sensitive personal data.
Meta’s struggle against EU antitrust regulators continues
Meta Platforms, formerly known as Facebook, has faced battles with EU antitrust regulators for several years. The online giant is being investigated for several issues, including data privacy concerns, alleged monopolistic practices, and unfair trading in the digital ad market. The dispute with the EU is one of the many challenges the company faces as it strives to maintain its reputation and market dominance.
Company’s response to the court’s decision
Meta Platforms said it was disappointed by the General Court’s decision. The company reiterated that it had complied with the regulator’s requests for documents and argued that the requests were overly burdensome. Despite this, Meta Platforms said it remained committed to working with the European Commission regulators to address their concerns about the company’s practices and policies.
FAQs:
What is Meta Platforms?
Meta Platforms is a social media company that operates Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other platforms. The company was formerly known as Facebook.
Why did the European Commission investigate the company?
The European Commission is investigating Meta Platforms for several issues, including data privacy concerns, alleged monopolistic practices, and unfair trading in the digital ad market.
What did the court rule in Meta Platforms’ challenge against EU antitrust regulators?
Europe’s second-highest court rejected Meta Platforms’ challenge against EU antitrust regulators. The court said the company failed to demonstrate that the regulator’s request for search term-identified documents went beyond what was necessary or that the establishment of a virtual data room had failed to protect sensitive personal data.
What did Meta Platforms say about the court’s decision?
Meta Platforms said it was disappointed by the General Court’s decision. The company reiterated that it had complied with the regulator’s requests for documents and argued that the requests were overly burdensome. Despite this, Meta Platforms said it remained committed to working with the European Commission regulators to address their concerns about the company’s practices and policies.
EU Antitrust Requests for Information Upheld by Court as Meta’s Challenge is Rejected
Europe’s second-highest court has dismissed Meta Platforms’ appeal against EU antitrust regulators. The ruling was issued on Wednesday, after the European Commission requested information related to Facebook’s data and online marketplace as part of its investigation. The request led the social media giant to liken the competition enforcer to a “fishing super trawler hoovering up data.” In its verdict, the General Court in Luxembourg said that Meta Platforms Ireland was unable to prove that the request for document provision went beyond what was necessary or that virtual data room arrangements failed to protect sensitive personal data. The cases are T-451/20 Meta Platforms Ireland v Commission & T-452/20 Meta Platforms Ireland v Commission. The verdict is a blow to Facebook and Meta Platforms, which are already facing scrutiny from regulators around the world over concerns related to their data practices.