Meta to face Spanish media in a trial set for October 2025

Spain's Asociación de Medios de Información (AMI) or the Association of Media Outlets sued Meta in December 2023, alleging they broke the EU's data protection rules. AMI is representing more than 80 Spanish media companies in this lawsuit. 

The companies say Meta holds an unfair advantage in the advertising space where access to user data on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp allows them to serve personalized ads. 

Fortune reported that AMI alleges Meta "systematically" broke the law from May 2018 to July 2023, serving personalized ads using "an illegitimately obtained competitive advantage." EU rules dictate that companies must have user consent to use their data for advertising. 

A Madrid court has now set the dates for the trial in October 2025. AMI is seeking €550 million ($581 million or £456 million). The trial will take place on October 1 and October 2, 2025.

Meta's lawyers argued that the company had not broken any EU rules. They say the company does not use personal data for personalized advertising and thus gains no competitive advantage. 

Meanwhile, Spanish radio and television stations have launched a separate lawsuit against Meta on the same grounds. They seek €160 million ($169 million or £132 million).