More than 200 French media companies, including leading TV channels and radio stations, have filed a collective lawsuit against the American Internet giant Meta, accusing him of violating European personal data protection standards. In particular, the plaintiffs claim that META has collected the personal data of users massively without their information and consent, which is a gross violation of the General EU Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
The lawsuit was joined by media companies such as TF1, France Télévisions, Radio France, Le Figaro and many others. The accusations relate to illegal online advertising practices, including the collection and use of personal data to create clogging. Media points out that these actions have allowed the company to dominate the digital advertising market, causing significant economic losses to traditional media.
"When operating users' data for potential advertising, META was able to attract the bulk of advertising investments, leaving media with a small market share," the plaintiffs said in a joint statement.
According to lawyers, this lawsuit is a "historical precedent" for Europe. They point out that Meta and Google together control 75% of the world market online advertising, as well as 90% of its growth. Media companies require compensation for economic losses, which, as they claim, have been caused by unfair competition by such technological giants.
This lawsuit further emphasizes the growing tension between traditional media and large technological companies that are increasingly dominated by digital advertising market, which causes a wave of protests among media groups.
