Meta is mounting a significant regulatory challenge against a hefty €200 million fine imposed by European Union authorities. At the heart of the dispute is the tech giant’s digital advertising model and how it processes user data for personalized ads. EU regulators have scrutinized Meta’s approach, particularly concerning the legal basis used for processing vast amounts of user data and the clarity around consent from users.
The core of the EU’s concern revolves around whether Meta has a sufficient lawful basis under EU data privacy rules to use data for targeting advertisements without explicit, specific, and informed consent in certain circumstances. The fine reflects findings that Meta’s practices may not fully align with the strict requirements governing data processing within the Union.
However, Meta contends that the fine and the underlying interpretation of the rules are fundamentally unlawful. They argue that their ad model and data processing activities are compliant with existing regulations or that the regulatory body has misinterpreted the application of these rules. This challenge underscores the ongoing tension between the business models of large tech giants, which heavily rely on user data for digital advertising, and the EU’s increasingly stringent digital regulations aimed at protecting user privacy and controlling how data is used.
This legal battle is a key moment in the broader landscape of tech regulation in Europe, highlighting the intensity of regulatory scrutiny faced by major online platforms and their pushback against decisions they deem incorrect or disproportionate. The outcome could have significant implications for how online advertising operates and how user data is handled across the entire industry moving forward. Compliance with evolving EU regulations remains a critical focus area for all digital businesses operating in the region.
Source: https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2025/07/03/meta_ec_dma_sulk/
