A significant legal battle has commenced in Spain as a Madrid commercial court opened a trial on a €550 million lawsuit against Meta Platforms, the owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The lawsuit, lodged by more than 80 Spanish media organisations, including major publishers such as Prisa, Godo, Vocento, and Unidad Editorial, accuses Meta of systematically breaching European Union data protection regulations between May 2018 and July 2023. The media groups allege that Meta exploited personal data to create personalised advertising without obtaining proper user consent, thus gaining an unfair competitive advantage in digital advertising sales.
The Spanish media association AMI, which represents the claimants, claims that Meta’s practices constitute “unfair competition,” seriously threatening the survival of news media. AMI director general Irene Lanzaco emphasised ahead of the hearing that the case transcends Spain’s media and carries implications globally, highlighting the predatory behaviour of a platform operating “with no regard for our legal framework.” The association is seeking €551 million, roughly $647 million, in compensation for what it describes as systematic violations of EU data protection rules.
Meta has denied the allegations, stating the lawsuit “is not based on any evidence regarding the alleged harm.” In a statement sent to AFP, the company asserted that it complies with all applicable laws, provides transparent information, and offers numerous tools to users to control their data and advertising experiences. Meta accused AMI of ignoring the natural evolution of the advertising industry over recent years.
The trial is expected to continue through Thursday, with witness testimonies and expert analyses scheduled. This case has gained notable attention as it reflects the broader tension between traditional media companies and global tech platforms over data rights and advertising revenues in the digital age.
The dispute in Spain mirrors a growing pattern of legal actions across Europe. In April 2025, about 200 French media organisations, including leading broadcasters and newspapers, filed a similar lawsuit against Meta. They accuse the company of illegally collecting user data for ultra-targeted advertising in violation of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), seeking damages for diverted advertising revenues and unfair competition.
This battle follows other regulatory challenges faced by Meta on the data privacy front. Notably, in December 2024, the EU’s Irish Data Protection Commission fined Meta €251 million for a 2018 security breach that exposed personal data of 29 million Facebook users. Meta has announced plans to appeal this decision. Meanwhile, in the United States, a federal judge dismissed a major antitrust lawsuit in September 2025, which had accused Meta of misleading users regarding its data privacy practices to maintain its social media dominance.
Back in Spain, media groups have not restricted their legal efforts solely to print and digital newspapers. Spanish radio and television broadcasters have also initiated a separate lawsuit against Meta for the same reasons, collectively seeking €160 million in damages.
The unfolding trials in Spain and France are viewed by industry analysts and insiders as critical tests of enforcement mechanisms under EU data protection laws and their ability to hold large technology companies accountable for their data-driven business practices. For the media sector, these lawsuits are about more than just compensation; they represent a fight to safeguard the future economic viability and editorial independence of news organisations amid rapidly shifting digital advertising markets dominated by global tech giants.
As the Spanish court hearings proceed, all eyes will be on the testimonies and expert reports to evaluate the legal and economic claims lodged against Meta. The outcomes may set important precedents in how digital platforms must adhere to privacy laws and compete fairly, potentially reshaping the regulatory landscape for tech companies operating in Europe.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The trial commenced on October 1, 2025, as reported by multiple reputable sources, including Reuters ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/technology/meta-faces-trial-october-unfair-competition-case-lodged-by-spanish-media-2024-11-29/?utm_source=openai)) and YEN.com.gh . The earliest known publication date of similar content is December 4, 2023, when the lawsuit was first filed ([english.elpais.com](https://english.elpais.com/economy-and-business/2023-12-04/spanish-newspaper-association-files-multimillion-euro-suit-against-meta-over-advertising-practices.html?utm_source=openai)). The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
Direct quotes from AMI director general Irene Lanzaco and Meta’s spokesperson are consistent across sources. No variations in wording were found, indicating originality and no reuse of content.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from YEN.com.gh, a news portal that has previously reported on similar topics. While it is not as widely recognised as some other outlets, it has provided accurate information in this instance. The report cites reputable sources such as AFP and Reuters, enhancing its credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims of the lawsuit align with previous reports about Meta’s legal challenges in Europe, including similar actions in France ([lemonde.fr](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/economy/article/2025/04/23/200-french-media-organizations-sue-meta-for-illegal-practices_6740550_19.html?utm_source=openai)). The language and tone are consistent with typical legal reporting, and the structure focuses on the key aspects of the trial without excessive or off-topic detail. No inconsistencies or suspicious elements were identified.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative provides accurate and up-to-date information about the commencement of the €550 million lawsuit against Meta in Spain. The content is original, with consistent quotes and no discrepancies. The source, while less widely known, cites reputable agencies, and the claims are plausible and supported by previous reports. No significant credibility risks were identified.
