Having said that, Meta is accused of prohibiting employee speech that violates several provisions of European law.
Apple was accused by the European Commission, the EU’s regulatory authority , in June as breaching the DMA law, the first law regulating digital markets in Europe that commenced in March. Now it is Meta’s turn which owns Facebook and Instagram among other products, the same fate awaited them.
Action formally taken by Council of the European Commission
The essence of these accusations is rooted within the apprehension of the “consent or payment” model that is presently employed by Meta. At the moment, Meta allows users to use its applications for free “for data” or pay to deny the use of their data. The Commission also condemns this model which “does not let the user opt for a service that employs the user’s data to a lesser extent but which is similar to a service that relies on personalised advertising”. Also, Meta does not permit users to ‘exercise their right to freely consent to the processing of their personal data.’
The EU’s request
In this regard, it is fully consistent with the previous remarks made by the European Commission, which is demanding that Meta present an ‘adequate substitute’ that entailed no cost. Having until the end of March 2025 to make a final determination on the case, the EU may impose a penalty equal to ten percent of Meta’s overall annual revenues in case the firm breaches the DMA.
Meta’s response
Of course, these allegations never stop Meta from denying any wrong doing on their part. Recently, the company stated that the absence of advertisements corresponds to the rules and regulations put forward by the Supreme Court of Europe and the Direct Marketing Association and, therefore, does not violate the European law; Meta is eager to address this case constructively with the European Commission.
