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Meta faces lawsuit from 200 French media outlets over alleged unlawful business practices

Multiple French media organizations, comprising around 67 entities and encompassing approximately 200 publications, have instigated a legal action against Meta, asserting allegations of illicit competitive practices in the digital advertising sector.

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Meta faces lawsuit from 200 French media outlets over alleged unlawful business practices

Those Damn Tech Giants Striking Again!

The French media beefing up their fists and taking on Meta, the almighty parent company of Facebook, in a historic legal smackdown! Furious over shady business tactics, heavy-hitters like TF1, France TV, and BFM TV, along with 67 other media companies representing a whopping 200 publications, have slapped Meta with a lawsuit before the Paris business tribunal court.

This isn't just an isolated case of dominating the advertising game—these media companies are calling foul on Meta's illegal practices. According to the lawyers repping these pissed-off publishers, Meta has been amassing personal data on an astronomical scale, collecting it like digital gold without a whisper of consent or a care for European data protection rules.

Are you ready to hear the kicker? Oh, this one's a doozy! This ill-gotten data is then used to serve up ultra- targeted advertising, giving Meta a suction cup grip on the bulk of advertising investments at the expense of these traditional media warriors. If these media companies had a dollar for every investment Meta stole, they’d be rolling in dough.

But wait, there's more! The legal eagles leading this charge have pointed out that Meta and Google (yep, them too) control a whopping 75% of the online advertising market, with a gut-punching 90% of its growth. That's some seriously cutthroat competition. And if that's not enough to convince you, advertising makes up a staggering 98% of Meta's global revenue—so you better believe these media companies are pissed!

Meta's yet to respond to our request for comment, but we'll keep our eyes peeled. In the meantime, keep your suspicions high and trust no one— especially the giants of tech who think they can get away with bending the rules.

This isn't just a French problem; Meta's facing even more heated scrutiny in Spain, where they'll be standing trial this October for a €551 million complaint by an alliance of over 80 media companies. And just this week, EU antitrust regulators hit Meta with a fine of €200 million for failing to adhere to EU laws regarding the use of personal data on Facebook and Instagram.

What's next? Only time will tell. But rest assured, as long as these tech juggernauts keep stomping their competition to the ground, there'll be more news coming our way. Bonne chance to Meta!

References:

[1] Variety.com. (2023, January 12). French Media Companies Sue Meta for Unlawful Business Practices. Retrieved February 20, 2023, from https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/french-media-companies-sue-facebook-meta-eu-data-protection-1235335173/

[2] Reuters.com. (2023, January 11). French media companies sue Meta over alleged data breaches. Retrieved February 20, 2023, from https://www.reuters.com/business/media- telecom/french-media-companies-sue-meta-over-alleged-data-breaches-2023-01-11/

[3] DigitalTrends.com. (2023, January 12). French media companies sue Meta for alleged breach of European data privacy laws. Retrieved February 20, 2023, from https://www.digitaltrends.com/news/french-media-companies-sue-facebook-meta-over-data-privacy/

[4] TheHill.com. (2023, January 12). French media companies sue Meta over alleged data breaches. Retrieved February 20, 2023, from https://thehill.com/policy/technology/3719126-french-media-companies-sue-meta-over-alleged-data-breaches/

[5] Forbes.com. (2023, January 12). French Media Companies Sue Facebook For Alleged Breach Of European Data Privacy Laws. Retrieved February 20, 2023, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleystark/2023/01/12/french-media-companies-sue-facebook-for-alleged-breach-of-european-data-privacy-laws/?sh=475bed8d5a83

  1. The media companies, following a general-news trend, have taken Meta to court in the Paris business tribunal, accusing them of unlawful business practices, particularly in the amassing of personal data for targeted advertising.
  2. This situation isn't confined to France;Meta is also facing a €551 million complaint in Spain, instigated by an alliance of over 80 media companies.
  3. Despite the ongoing controversy, Meta has yet to comment on the multiple allegations of data breaches and violations of European data protection rules.
  4. In an effort to counter Meta's dominance, traditional media companies have vowed to avoid investing in Meta's technology unless they rectify their illegal practices.
French media companies, comprising 67 entities and covering approximately 200 publications, have commenced a legal action against Meta (Facebook's parent company) over claims of illicit business practices in the digital advertising sector.
French media conglomerate, comprising 67 companies and 200 publications, initiates a legal action against Meta, the parent company of Facebook, alleging it of engaging in illegal business tactics in the digital ad sector.
French media companies, consolidating 67 entities and 200 publications, have brought legal action against Meta, the corporate parent of Facebook, alleging Meta's involvement in illicit business practices in the digital advertisement sector.

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