Meta Platforms Inc. braces for renewed regulatory clashes with European authorities after a €200 million ($232 million) fine failed to bring Facebook and Instagram into compliance with the bloc's stringent digital rules.
The European Commission formally notified the social media titan last week that its controversial "pay or consent" model requires significant revisions. This subscription-based service permits users to pay for ad-free browsing experiences across Meta's platforms.
Should Meta disregard demands from EU Competition Commissioner Teresa Ribera and Digital Policy Commissioner Henna Virkkunen, this procedural escalation could culminate in formal warnings and recurring financial penalties. The company previously received its first Digital Markets Act (DMA) violation fine last April.
An EU Commission spokesperson revealed Meta implemented only "limited adjustments" to address regulatory concerns, confirming ongoing correspondence regarding unresolved compliance issues. Meta's representatives countered that their user options "far exceed" DMA obligations, referencing earlier corporate statements.
This regulatory standoff shows no signs of resolution. Additional fines appear imminent, and potential court appeals could ultimately test the EU's broader campaign to regulate Silicon Valley's business practices.
Notably, European regulators have imposed nearly €1 billion in total penalties against Meta within a single year, underscoring the intensity of this prolonged confrontation.