Justice condemns Meta to pay 479 million euros to Spanish media for unfair competition
The Madrid Mercantile Court has ruled that Meta must pay 479 million euros to 87 Spanish media outlets for unfair competition. The court found that Meta gained an unfair competitive advantage through the illegal use of personal data on Facebook and Instagram for behavioral advertising, marking a significant win for Spanish media. The ruling, dated November 19, 2025, is not yet final and can be appealed. The court's decision centers on how Meta obtained and processed personal data, rather than the advertising activity itself. Specifically, the court determined that the data processing lacked a valid legal basis under GDPR. Meta had changed its legal basis for processing user data from consent to contract, which the court deemed insufficient. The court analyzed Meta's advertising revenue in Spain between May 25, 2018, and August 1, 2023, estimating over 5.281 billion euros in revenue. This ruling impacts Meta's operations in Spain and potentially sets a precedent for how tech companies handle user data under GDPR. The court's decision to calculate the compensation used a study from CNMC, redistributing revenue gained through GDPR violations to competitors, affecting the digital press. The decision highlights the importance of compliance with data protection regulations and the consequences of exploiting user data for profit.
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