Meta is maintaining its controversial pay-or-consent model, a decision that could result in new antitrust charges and significant daily fines from the European Commission. Sources familiar with the situation indicate that the company has no plans to alter the model, which allows users to pay to avoid data tracking, despite warnings from EU regulators.
The European Commission has previously threatened daily fines, concluding that Meta's existing adjustments did not fully comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The company was already fined 200 million euros in April for violating the DMA.
Meta made some modifications in late 2024 to limit the use of personal data in targeted advertising. However, these changes have not satisfied Brussels, which believes the model still violates regulations aimed at curbing the dominance of large tech companies.
New antitrust charges are anticipated in the coming weeks, potentially followed by daily fines of up to five percent of Meta's global average daily revenue, starting from June 27. A final decision on the fines is still pending.
Following the report, Meta shares experienced a decline in trading. When contacted, Meta declined to comment directly but referred to previous statements, asserting its belief in compliance with the DMA and accusing the European Commission of unfairly targeting its business model.
5 Comments
Coccinella
The EU's regulations are too restrictive. Meta is just trying to find a viable business model.
ZmeeLove
People act like they're entitled to free stuff these days. Meta is allowing free access or a paid upgrade, it's fine.
Habibi
Their 'modifications' clearly weren't enough. They need to respect users.
Muchacho
They can lie with a straight face without flinching what little respect I had for them is gone.
Raphael
If the fines are applied to Meta then Meta will stop trying to innovate and the whole market will suffer.