Meta* and the Pay-or-Agree Model

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The investigation into Meta began in March 2024, when the European Commission accused the company of violating user rights through its “pay or opt-in” model. Users can either pay for a subscription or agree to have their data used for targeted advertising. Regulators believe this infringes on privacy rights and creates financial barriers to opting out of advertising.

Meta says it gives users choice and operates within the law. “We always have users’ interests in mind and are willing to work with regulators,” said Nick Clegg, Meta’s vice president of international affairs.

If Meta* is found guilty, it faces fines of up to $14 billion.

How does Amazon use seller data?
The European Commission launched an investigation into Amazon in dominican republic whatsapp number list November 2024. The main allegations relate to the favouring of its own brands on the platform and the use of third-party seller data to promote Amazon products, which regulators say undermines fair competition and limits the opportunities for independent sellers.

Amazon says its actions comply with the law. “We are transparent and focused on providing the best experience for customers,” said Jay Carney, a senior vice president at Amazon.

If the allegations are confirmed, Amazon could be fined $47 billion.

Precedent: How did they try to split Microsoft?
The Microsoft case remains one of the most famous antitrust cases in history. In 1998, the U.S. Department of Justice and 20 states filed suit against the company. The main allegations concerned the integration of the Internet Explorer browser into Windows, which regulators believed limited competition from other browsers.

In 2000, a court ordered Microsoft to be split into two companies, but the ruling was overturned in 2001. As a result, the company compromised by agreeing to open up its technology and change its business practices.

The case set an important precedent, showing that even the biggest tech giants can face serious consequences for violating antitrust laws.