ICLE Statement on Anticipated Facebook Marketplace Decision
BRUSSELS (March 27, 2025) – The International Center for Law & Economics (ICLE) offers the following statement on the anticipated European Commission decision to fine Meta for failing to comply with antitrust rules under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The following quote can be attributed to ICLE Director of Competition Policy Dirk Auer:
The Commission is trying to shift the Facebook platform to a contextual advertising business model that has repeatedly failed in the marketplace. Targeted ads ensure that users are shown only those products they are most likely to care about, leading to increased ad conversion, platform revenue, user satisfaction and, ultimately, investment in online services. By breaking this flywheel, the Commission is merely ensuring its citizens will receive second-rate online services, while European startups pay higher prices to effectively advertise online. It is self-harm that could easily have been avoided.
To schedule an interview with Dirk, contact Jim Fellinger at [email protected].
See additional relevant resources from ICLE scholars: