Meta faces a lawsuit by 83 Spanish newspapers for extensive use of users' personal data.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is facing legal action from 83 Spanish media outlets for allegedly violating EU data protection regulations from 2018 to 2023. The group of newspapers, spearheaded by media organization AMI, contends that Meta's extensive and organized gathering of individuals' personal data has conferred an 'unfairly acquired competitive edge' in creating and distributing personalized advertisements, leading to distorted competition in the advertising sector.

In response to the legal action, AMI stated, as quoted by PTI, that Meta has consistently disregarded European Union data protection laws. The media organization pointed out that Meta has neglected the regulatory mandate requiring individuals to give their explicit consent for the utilization of their data in advertising profiling, as evidenced by various decisions from European authorities with jurisdiction over this issue.

"The statement further asserted that Meta's extensive and organized utilization of users' personal data across its platforms, conducted without their explicit consent during their online activities, allegedly enabled the American company to sell advertising space in the market, leveraging an unfairly gained competitive advantage."

AMI has initiated a €550 million (or $600 million) legal action against Meta, alleging a violation of the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which became effective in May 2018 and mandates websites to seek consent for storing and utilizing users' personal data, as reported by Reuters. The lawsuit, originating in Spain, has the potential to be replicated in other European Union nations, according to AMI lawyer Nicolas Gonzalez Cuellar, who hinted at the likelihood of similar legal proceedings in other EU countries. Earlier this year, Meta received a €390 fine from EU data protection authorities, who determined that signing a contract did not constitute a valid legal basis for the company to track and target users with personalized advertisements.