French media outlets seek €1.4 billion from Meta over online advertising practices

11:42

By: Azzat Manal

French media outlets seek €1.4 billion from Meta over online advertising practices

A coalition of 101 French media organisations and publishers is seeking €1.4 billion in damages from Meta, accusing the technology group of unfair practices in the digital advertising market. The legal action, reported by French newspaper Le Figaro, centres on allegations that the company gained a competitive advantage through the collection and use of personal data for targeted advertising without obtaining valid user consent.

The proceedings were initiated before the Paris Economic Activities Court, with the coalition having decided to pursue the case in April 2025. The plaintiffs include major French media organisations such as Le Figaro, Les Échos, Le Parisien, L’Équipe, Libération and Ouest-France, as well as broadcasters TF1 and Radio France. Their claim reflects growing tensions between traditional media businesses and large digital platforms over how advertising revenue is distributed online.

At the heart of the dispute are allegations that Meta relied on extensive and unlawful personal-data collection to deliver personalised advertisements. The publishers argue that these practices failed to comply with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which came into force in 2018 and established strict requirements for the processing of personal information.

The media companies contend that access to user data gives digital platforms significant advantages in attracting advertisers and selling targeted campaigns. According to the plaintiffs’ legal representatives, the alleged practices weakened the competitive position of French publishers and prevented them from securing a larger share of digital advertising expenditure.

The case also highlights the financial pressures facing news organisations as advertising budgets increasingly flow towards online platforms. Publishers have been seeking ways to maintain sustainable business models while competing with companies that offer advertisers extensive audience data, automated campaign tools and large-scale distribution networks. The outcome of the proceedings could contribute to the broader debate over fair competition and the responsibilities of technology companies operating in Europe.

The French coalition is following a legal strategy similar to one pursued by Spanish publishers and the Association of Information Media in Spain, which brought a comparable case against Meta in 2023. In November 2025, a Madrid commercial court ordered the American company to pay €479 million in damages, along with an additional €60 million in statutory interest, according to the report. The Spanish ruling has provided a significant reference point for media groups pursuing claims over digital advertising practices.

However, the French proceedings concern a separate case, and the Spanish decision does not determine their outcome. The French court will need to assess the evidence and arguments presented by the parties under the applicable legal framework. Meta’s alleged conduct and the amount of compensation sought remain matters to be examined through the proceedings.

The dispute comes amid wider European efforts to enforce data-protection rules and ensure that digital markets remain competitive. The GDPR governs how organisations collect, process and use personal data, while European competition law addresses conduct that may distort market conditions. Although these legal frameworks have different objectives, disputes involving targeted advertising increasingly raise questions about how data practices can affect both privacy and competition.

For French publishers, the claim is not only about compensation but also about the conditions under which media companies compete for advertising revenue. For Meta, the case adds to the regulatory and legal scrutiny facing major digital platforms in Europe. The proceedings could become another important test of how courts assess the relationship between personal-data practices, online advertising and the economic position of news publishers.