Meta faces fresh EU backlash over Digital Markets Act non-compliance
Meta’s ‘pay-or-consent’ strategy draws EU criticism, reigniting data privacy battles in Europe.
Meta is again under EU scrutiny after failing to fully comply with the bloc’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), despite a €200 million fine earlier this year.
The European Commission says Meta’s current ‘pay or consent’ model still falls short and could trigger further penalties. A formal warning is expected, with recurring fines likely if the company does not adjust its approach.
The DMA imposes strict rules on major tech platforms to reduce market dominance and protect digital fairness. While Meta claims its model meets legal standards, the Commission says progress has been minimal.
Over the past year, Meta has faced nearly €1 billion in EU fines, including €798 million for linking Facebook Marketplace to its central platform. The new case adds to years of tension over data practices and user consent.
The ‘pay or consent’ model offers users a choice between paying for privacy or accepting targeted ads. Regulators argue this does not meet the threshold for genuine consent and mirrors Meta’s past GDPR tactics.
Privacy advocates have long criticised Meta’s approach, saying users are left with no meaningful alternatives. Internal documents show Meta lobbied against privacy reforms and warned governments about reduced investment.
The Commission now holds greater power under the DMA than it did with GDPR, allowing for faster, centralised enforcement and fines of up to 10% of global turnover.
Apple has already been fined €500 million, and Google is also under investigation. The EU’s rapid action signals a stricter stance on platform accountability. The message for Meta and other tech giants is clear: partial compliance is no longer enough to avoid serious regulatory consequences.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
