Meta Platforms Inc., the tech behemoth formerly known as Facebook, is currently at the center of multiple high-profile legal proceedings across the globe. These trials are not isolated disputes but significant legal battles addressing fundamental questions about data privacy, market dominance, and competition fairness in the digital age. This detailed account highlights the major ongoing trials involving Meta and their broader implications.
1. The FTC vs. Meta: A Landmark Antitrust Battle
The most consequential legal challenge facing Meta is the antitrust lawsuit brought by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Originally filed in December 2020, this lawsuit accuses Meta of building a social networking monopoly through the strategic acquisition of competitive platforms—namely Instagram (acquired in 2012) and WhatsApp (acquired in 2014).
The FTC's core argument is that Meta’s acquisitions were not driven by innovation or consumer demand, but by a calculated effort to neutralize competition. The agency claims Meta now holds an undue level of control over the personal social networking market, restricting consumer choice and innovation.
After the initial complaint was dismissed in mid-2021 for lack of sufficient evidence, the FTC refiled a more robust version in August 2021. The revised case included internal communications, executive testimony, and analysis showing how Meta used its dominance to create barriers for emerging competitors.
Following multiple failed attempts by Meta to dismiss the case, the trial finally began in April 2025 in a Washington D.C. federal court. CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to testify, offering insights into Meta’s strategic reasoning behind its acquisitions. The FTC is seeking a structural remedy that could include forcing Meta to divest Instagram and WhatsApp—moves that would fundamentally change the company’s identity and business model.
This lawsuit is considered one of the most significant antitrust trials in modern tech history. It mirrors past landmark cases such as the U.S. government’s battle with Microsoft in the 1990s, and could set critical legal precedents for how digital monopolies are defined and regulated.
2. India’s CCI Penalty on WhatsApp and Data Sharing
In India, Meta is also under scrutiny for its handling of user data through its subsidiary WhatsApp. In 2021, WhatsApp introduced a controversial privacy policy update that allowed it to share user data with Meta for marketing and ad-targeting purposes. This move triggered backlash, legal complaints, and investigations.
By November 2024, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) concluded its inquiry, determining that Meta, through WhatsApp, abused its dominant position in the messaging market. The CCI imposed a penalty of ₹213.14 crore and issued cease-and-desist orders demanding that Meta stop sharing WhatsApp user data across its ecosystem.
Meta challenged this ruling in the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), seeking relief. In January 2025, the tribunal partially stayed the order, particularly the restrictions that could undermine WhatsApp’s core business functionality. However, it upheld several behavioral mandates, such as better transparency and options for users to opt out of data sharing.
The case reflects India’s growing assertiveness in regulating Big Tech and protecting its 800+ million internet users. It also emphasizes the growing relevance of local competition laws in the global digital economy.
3. Spanish Media vs. Meta: A €551 Million Unfair Competition Lawsuit
In Europe, Meta is facing stiff resistance from traditional media outlets who claim the company’s dominance in the digital advertising space is both unfair and legally questionable. Over 80 Spanish media companies have filed a joint lawsuit demanding €551 million in damages.
Set to go to trial in October 2025, the case accuses Meta of unfair competition by using personal data collected from Facebook and Instagram to offer highly targeted ads—undermining the advertising revenues of traditional media companies. The plaintiffs argue that Meta’s methods violate European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) rules by using consumer data without explicit consent.
They also point out the discrepancy in regulatory obligations between Meta and media outlets, with the latter having stricter guidelines for data use. The result, they argue, is an unlevel playing field that gives Meta an outsized advantage in capturing digital ad revenue.
The upcoming trial in Madrid will likely be closely monitored across the EU, especially by regulators considering tighter rules on data usage and algorithmic advertising. A ruling against Meta could open the floodgates for similar lawsuits in other European nations.
4. U.S. Advertisers’ Class Action Over Inflated Metrics
In another major legal challenge, Meta is also being sued by a group of advertisers in a class action suit. The complaint centers on Meta’s advertising metrics—specifically, allegations that the company knowingly inflated the size of its potential audience reach on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
Advertisers argue that they were misled into spending more on campaigns than they otherwise would have, due to falsely presented data on user reach and engagement. Internal emails disclosed during discovery have added fuel to the plaintiffs’ arguments, showing that Meta staff were aware of discrepancies in ad metrics but continued promoting them.
The class action, which could involve damages exceeding $7 billion, was given the green light to proceed when the U.S. Supreme Court declined Meta’s appeal in early 2025. The case could result in a significant financial hit to Meta and prompt a reevaluation of how ad performance data is reported across the industry.
This lawsuit also speaks to broader concerns about accountability and transparency in digital advertising, especially as companies pour billions into online ad spend every year.
5. Additional Regulatory Headwinds Around the Globe
While these four cases represent the most prominent legal threats to Meta, the company is also facing a growing number of smaller yet still significant investigations and lawsuits globally:
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United Kingdom: The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating Meta for anti-competitive practices related to its Marketplace and data-sharing between Facebook and Instagram.
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Germany: German regulators are pushing for stricter controls on how Meta combines user data from different apps, citing violations of antitrust and privacy laws.
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Brazil: Meta is under legal pressure over content moderation practices on WhatsApp, particularly regarding political misinformation and election integrity.
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Australia: The government has warned Meta about its non-compliance with the country’s news bargaining code, which requires tech platforms to compensate news publishers.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead for Meta
Meta’s sprawling legal challenges underscore a fundamental shift in how governments and institutions view digital power. For years, tech companies operated with little regulatory resistance. But the tide is turning. Authorities worldwide are more willing to confront tech giants, hold them accountable, and rebalance power in favor of consumers and fair market competition.
For Meta, these lawsuits are not just financial or reputational risks—they strike at the very heart of its business model. Whether it’s data-driven advertising, cross-platform integration, or acquisitions of upstart competitors, the legal decisions from these trials could redefine what is considered acceptable business behavior in the tech sector.
The outcome of these cases will have implications not only for Meta, but for the entire digital economy. As regulators, courts, and consumers push for greater transparency and fairness, the days of unchecked tech expansion may finally be coming to an end.
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