Around 200 French media outlets, including TF1, France Télévisions, and Le Figaro, are taking social media giant Meta to court, their lawyers revealed on Wednesday.
The media accuse Meta – parent company of Facebook and Instagram – of “illegal practices” in online advertising, specifically targeting ads based on the extensive and unlawful collection of users’ personal data.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensation for the substantial economic harm which, they say, is caused by Meta’s unfair business practices.
Their lawyers argue that Meta has collected users’ personal data on a massive scale without informing them or obtaining their consent. This, they claim, is a blatant violation of European data protection regulations.
This data collection has allowed Meta to capture the majority of advertising revenues at the expense of the media. Alongside Google, Meta reportedly accounts for three-quarters of the online advertising market.
The plaintiffs include all types of media, ranging from television and radio to newspapers and magazines, and involve both public and private entities.
