Overview
- The award compensates 87 Spanish publishers, including El País, El Mundo, ABC, La Vanguardia, As, Marca, Expansión and Cinco Días.
- The court found Meta improperly used protected personal data from Facebook and Instagram users and their broader internet activity to deliver targeted advertising.
- The judge partially upheld the claim after publishers sought €551 million, setting a lower compensation amount.
- Mercantile Court No. 15 in Madrid concluded Meta gained a market advantage through conduct that violated Spanish unfair-competition law.
- Meta has said it will appeal to the Madrid Provincial Court, and the case reflects intensifying European scrutiny in countries such as Belgium, France, Ireland and Germany.