Europe imposes a fine of 800 million euros on Facebook’s parent company

With its brands Facebook and Instagram, Meta is the dominant player in social networking on the European market. However, the American multinational is violating European competition rules, the Commission believes.

First, Facebook users are knowingly directed to Facebook Marketplace, Meta’s online advertising service where products can be bought and sold. This is a competitive disadvantage for providers of other advertising services, who cannot automatically participate in the use of Facebook.

Second, Meta can leverage the data generated by its competing service providers that advertise on Facebook and Instagram. That data is then used for the benefit of Facebook Marketplace. That is also unacceptable, the Commission says after an investigation that started in 2021.

The fine imposed on Meta is exactly 797.72 million euros. That money ends up in the European budget. It is now up to Meta to put an end to this illegal behavior, says European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager.