Overview
- Meta said it will appeal the Madrid commercial court ruling, calling the claim baseless and disputing evidence of harm.
- The court assessed conduct between May 2018 and July 2023 after Meta moved away from user consent, estimating €5.3 billion in ad profits obtained during the breach period.
- Damages are to be distributed to Spanish digital news publishers and agencies for losses tied to Meta’s targeted advertising practices.
- Separately, Spain’s government opened a parliamentary probe into research alleging a hidden Android mechanism tracked users without consent, and lawmakers have summoned Meta to testify.
- The decision could shape related litigation in Europe, including a parallel case in France, while Spanish radio and TV groups pursue a separate €160 million claim.