The European Commission considers that the American group does not offer a real choice to Internet users and is in breach of the Digital Markets Act.
After Apple last week, it is Meta’s turn to suffer the wrath of the European Commission. Just like the designer of the iPhone, the group behind Facebook and Instagram would not respect the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to reinvigorate competition in the digital economy. This exposes him to several billion euros in fines. Meta now has the right to access the investigation file and to defend himself. The investigation must be closed by the end of March 2025.
Brussels is criticizing Mark Zuckerberg’s group for introducing an optional paid subscription to Facebook and Instagram in Europe in November 2023. Those who subscribe, for a minimum of 10 euros per month, will no longer see advertising on the two social networks.
“A binary choice”
This subscription was introduced by Meta to, in its view, comply with the DMA by offering an alternative to European Internet users who refuse to have their data on Facebook and Instagram captured and combined to display the most relevant ads possible. The DMA states that European Internet users must be able to accept or refuse this practice.
But for the Commission, the choice between “pay or consent” («pay or consent») is not really one. “It is a binary choice, which is a violation of the DMA”, indicates Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton. Brussels criticizes Meta for not proposing a more balanced alternative, which would “a less personalized but identical version” (i.e. free) from its social networks. “We want to give citizens the means to control their own data and opt for less personalized advertising”adds Commission Vice-President Margrethe Vestager.
More information to follow…
