Meta Platforms, the US-based multinational technology corporation, has officially appealed a hefty fine imposed by the European Union’s antitrust enforcer, Bloomberg reported. The fine, amounting to 798 million euros (approximately $831.7 million), was issued in November 2024 by the European Commission (EC). It stems from the EU’s allegations that Meta leveraged its social media platform, Facebook, to gain an unfair advantage for its online classified ads service, Facebook Marketplace. Meta is now challenging the ruling at the EU’s General Court, marking the latest chapter in the ongoing legal battle between the tech giant and European regulators.
The EC’s investigation concluded that Meta violated EU antitrust laws by effectively “tying” Facebook Marketplace to its social media platform, thereby forcing users to access Marketplace regardless of whether they wanted to or not. This, according to the Commission, provided Facebook Marketplace with an unfair competitive edge over rival online classified services. The EC further argued that Meta’s actions had imposed unjust trading conditions on competing platforms by using user data gathered from its social media network to benefit its own marketplace.
Meta has vehemently denied these allegations. In a statement to Bloomberg News, a spokesperson for the company confirmed the filing of the appeal, which was officially lodged on January 28, 2025. While Meta maintains that it will comply with the ruling, it strongly contends that the fine lacks substantial evidence of harm to either competitors or consumers. Moreover, Meta asserts that the decision overlooks the existence of other successful online marketplaces within the EU, arguing that Facebook users still retain the option to opt out of engaging with Facebook Marketplace.
The appeal is likely to amplify tensions between Meta and the European Union, which has increasingly scrutinized the practices of major tech companies in recent years. Notably, Meta’s legal challenge comes amidst growing concerns over the EU’s regulatory actions against US-based firms.
Meta’s legal troubles in the EU are not limited to this case alone. The company has also faced regulatory scrutiny in other jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, where it recently settled an investigation with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). As part of the settlement, Meta agreed to a series of concessions aimed at addressing concerns over its marketplace practices.
As the appeal proceeds, it is expected to contribute to the broader discourse on the regulation of big tech in the EU. The outcome of the case may set important precedents regarding how the European Commission enforces antitrust rules against dominant market players in the rapidly evolving digital economy.
