EU Court Adviser Upholds Order Requiring Meta to Surrender Facebook Ad Algorithms and Metrics
An EU court adviser has rejected Meta's request to suspend the Commission’s order compelling it to provide internal Facebook ad data for an antitrust probe. The ruling mandates Meta to hand over user metrics, ad targeting configurations and ranking algorithm details, raising compliance costs and regulatory exposure.
1. Antitrust Investigation Initiated
The European Commission opened an antitrust investigation into Meta’s targeted advertising operations, alleging abuse of market power. Regulators issued an order demanding internal Facebook ad data to evaluate pricing, user engagement and market share dynamics.
2. Legal Challenge and Ruling
Meta sought to suspend the data request through the EU General Court, but an adviser to the court rejected the interim relief. The adviser emphasized the Commission’s right to access evidence deemed vital for assessing competition concerns without undue delay.
3. Specific Data Demands
The order requires Meta to provide detailed user metrics, ad targeting configurations and algorithmic ranking processes. These disclosures aim to reveal how ad auctions are structured and whether they unfairly disadvantage rivals.
4. Implications for Meta
Compliance with the order could drive up legal and operational costs, potentially expose proprietary technologies and affect investor sentiment. Meta faces heightened regulatory scrutiny as the General Court prepares its final decision.