The European Commission has fined technology giant Meta almost €800 million for breaching antitrust rules.
The reason was that the company gave Facebook users automatic access to the social network's classified ads service Marketplace, AFP reports.
The Commission found that Meta had abused its dominant position by imposing unfair commercial terms on other online classifieds providers. The EU executive imposed a €798 million fine, which Meta has promised to appeal.
"Facebook users can choose whether to engage with Marketplace, and many do not. The reality is that people use Facebook Marketplace because they want to, not because they have to," the company said.
The fine is the latest in a series of large penalties the Commission has imposed on major tech companies for their practices in recent years - and ranks among the 10 largest antitrust fines.
The Commission argued that because Facebook Marketplace is affiliated with Facebook, the former enjoyed a "significant distribution advantage that competitors cannot match".
"In addition, Meta has imposed unfair terms on its competitors in the classified ads service, which have advertised on Facebook and Instagram," the EU executive said.
"This has allowed it (Meta - ed.) to use data related to ads generated by other advertisers solely for the benefit of Facebook Marketplace," the regulator added.
Meta claims it has not "used advertisers' data for this purpose" and has "put systems and controls in place to ensure this".
"It is disappointing that the Commission has decided to take regulatory action against a free and innovative service created to meet consumer demand," the company stated. | BGNES
