media related to Spain They sued Meta for unfair competition. Some 83 newspapers were represented in the complaint filed last Friday. Information Media Association Requires the technology company that owns (AMI) Facebook And instagram Payment of 550 million euros in compensation due to domination digital advertisingIt is a power based on violation. Data protection users.
The case in Spain is the latest in a long series of cases implicating the media giant social networks are exposed to exploitative practices in many ways. The AMI complaint complains that “the domination of the digital ecosystem by large platforms prevents the media from earning fair money.” This is the same claim made by the government. AustraliaAfter years of tense negotiations, he managed to get Meta and Google to pay approximately $200 million to different media outlets in the country.
Australia set a precedent by becoming the first country to greenlight a law that challenged the heavyweights. Internet Paying the media to link to their news. last june, Canada He chose to follow the same path. Google complied with the new rule arrangement Canadian, but Meta disagreed and counterattacked by blocking the sharing of information links on their platform; This was an action that enraged both authorities and citizens. Fearing similar laws, France, Germany and the United Kingdom also removed the news tab in early December. It is estimated that if United States of America If passed, Meta and Google would have to pay national publishers between $11.9 billion and $13.9 billion a year.
abuse of power
Mark Zuckerberg’s digital empire accumulates dozens and dozens of lawsuits for various reasons. Just this year European Union The (EU) fined Meta 1.2 billion euros for transferring the data of European citizens to the USA and 390 million euros for forcing its users to use their private data for commercial purposes.
In recent weeks, groups defending digital rights have also filed a lawsuit against the company for creating a payment plan for those who want to use Facebook and Instagram without their identities. privacy will be used for advertising purposes.
In December 2022, European Commission It accused Meta for the first time of abuse of dominant position, precipitating an investigation that opened in 2021 and could result in billions of dollars in fines. However, at the end of April Meta won a lawsuit antitrust Dozens of attorneys general across the Atlantic alleged Instagram acquisitions in 2012 and What’s up In 2014, it helped the company consolidate its power, but it hurt developers. Applications.
“Anxiety and depression”
Meta is also facing the largest class-action lawsuit in its history. Nearly 41 US states accuse the giant of using manipulation tactics on their platforms dependence harming children sanity.
Already in 2021, a former employee of the company reported that Instagram was causing “increased levels of engagement.” anxiety And depression“As well as worse self-perception among teenage girls.
The US Federal Trade Commission has reopened an investigation that will lead to Meta being banned from profiting from data it collects from users under 18. In 2020, the company reached an agreement with the authorities to close this case by paying a fine of $ 5 billion.
Human rights violation
Meta is also accused of contributing to the violation of these rules. human rights Worldwide. Amnesty International accused the platform of “failing to adequately stop the spread of content advocating hatred and violence” in Ethiopia’s civil war, in which up to 500,000 people could die. This is not the first time Facebook has been criticized for its inaction in conflict situations. The platform already had a “decisive role.” genocide Muslim community Rohingya inside MyanmarAs determined by the United Nations.
These lawsuits accuse Meta of not doing enough to stop the proliferation of extreme content on the most used social networks on the planet. However, the workers responsible for monitoring these violent messages are also coming together and suing the company that provides these messages through other companies. Inside barcelonaAn undetermined number of employees filed a complaint alleging counter-crime workers rights, against his moral integrity and due to psychological injuries. Nearly 400 of them are on sick leave because they were exposed to all kinds of extreme content. Such legal proceedings are being repeated from Ireland to Kenya.
Last year, Meta generated more than $116 billion in revenue and net profit of over $23 million. After laying off more than 21,000 employees in total and cutting costs, the company is on the rise. In the third quarter, its net income increased 164% to 11.6 billion and its profits increased 23%.