The news: Meta is facing an investigation from the French Competition Authority for allegedly limiting access to ad verification partners and exploiting its ad market dominance, per a report.

• The investigation originated from a 2022 complaint from ad platform Adloox and will last several months, with the French authority claiming that Meta limited access “under conditions that are not transparent, objective, or non-discriminatory.”
• Meta is required to implement interim measures, including the development and disclosure of updated guidelines governing access to and maintenance of “viewability” and “brand safety” partnerships. The new criteria will remain in effect until a final ruling is issued.

Meta’s legal woes: The French investigation is another piece of the puzzle in Meta’s ongoing legal troubles in Europe.

• Meta is facing a similar issue in Spain after more than 80 media companies accused the social media giant of unfair competition in advertising. The company will go to trial in October for the complaint, worth €551 million ($596.15 million).
• Digital rights group Eko previously filed complaints against Meta for targeted advertising practices in Europe, claiming that Meta violated GDPR after disregarding user requests to opt out of targeted advertising. Violations could entail fines up to 4% of Meta’s global annual turnover.
• The European Court of Justice also ordered Meta to restrict personal data usage for targeted advertising, regardless of user consent, while the European Data Protection Board determined that Meta violated EU law in its method of obtaining consent for behavioral ads.