Meta Wins Partial EU Court Ruling on Digital Markets Act

ISLAMABAD: (Web Desk) – Meta Platforms, Inc. has secured a partial legal victory in its challenge against European Union digital regulations, after the EU’s General Court ruled that Facebook Marketplace should not be classified as a “gatekeeper” service under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), while Messenger remains subject to stricter oversight.

The ruling represents a significant moment in the EU’s efforts to regulate large technology firms under its landmark digital competition framework.

The case centered on whether Meta Platforms, Inc.’s services fall under the DMA’s definition of “core platform services,” which subjects companies to enhanced obligations aimed at ensuring fair competition in digital markets.

Meta had argued that both Facebook Marketplace and Messenger are extensions of its main Facebook platform and should not be treated as standalone services subject to separate regulatory obligations.

The court agreed in part, stating that the European Commission had “erred in law” in its assessment of Marketplace. It found that regulators failed to properly consider changes made to the platform in 2023 and did not provide sufficient reasoning for its designation.

However, the court upheld the classification of Messenger as a distinct interpersonal communications service, noting that it operates as a standalone application and includes features specifically designed for messaging functions.

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As a result, Messenger remains under the DMA’s stricter regulatory framework.

The decision highlights ongoing tensions between European regulators and major US technology companies over digital market oversight, particularly as the DMA imposes strict “do’s and don’ts” on designated gatekeepers.

Other major firms affected by the DMA include Alphabet Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Apple Inc., Microsoft Corporation, and ByteDance Ltd., alongside Meta.

The ruling comes amid broader geopolitical friction, with US policymakers previously criticizing European digital regulations as disproportionately targeting American companies—an accusation the EU has rejected.

Meta’s case follows similar legal challenges by other tech firms, including ByteDance’s TikTok, which previously failed in its own attempt to overturn its designation under the DMA.