French Antitrust Authority Investigates Meta for Online Advertising Abuse

The French competition authority has formally notified Meta Platforms of allegations that it abused its dominant position in the online advertising sector by restricting access to ad verification partnerships under non-transparent and discriminatory conditions. This investigation follows a complaint filed in October 2022 by Adloox, and interim measures were imposed in May 2023 requiring Meta to establish clear and fair criteria for partnerships related to 'viewability' and 'brand safety.' Meta now faces a formal inter partes proceeding, allowing it to defend itself before the authority determines whether the allegations are substantiated. The scrutiny of Meta's advertising practices is part of a broader regulatory focus, with French media companies suing Meta for unlawful business conduct and a related trial scheduled in Spain over unfair competition claims. Additionally, EU antitrust regulators recently fined Meta, intensifying regulatory pressures on the company’s advertising operations. These developments highlight ongoing European regulatory concerns about Meta’s market behavior and its impact on competition in digital advertising.