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Germany: Closed FCO investigation into Facebook over excessive data processing as breach of competition law

Policy overview

Description

Closed FCO investigation into Facebook over excessive data processing as breach of competition law

On 10 October 2024, the Federal Cartel Office (FCO) closed its investigation into Meta (formerly Facebook). The investigation mandated changes in user data processing practices, particularly regarding the combination of user data from Facebook with …

Scope

Policy Area
Competition
Policy Instrument
Unilateral conduct regulation
Regulated Economic Activity
platform intermediary: user-generated content
Implementation Level
national
Government Branch
executive
Government Body
competition authority

Complete timeline of this policy change

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2019-02-06
in force

The Federal Cartel Office (FCO) rules that excessive data collection by platforms (i.c. Facebook) o…

2019-08-26
under appeal

Court of appeals suspends the application of the the Federal Cartel Office (FCO) ruling that excess…

2020-06-23
in force

Supreme court overturns the court of appeals and upholds the Federal Cartel Office (FCO) ruling tha…

2021-03-24
under deliberation

On 24 March 2021, the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court (DHRC) suspended the proceedings in the case…

2021-03-24
under investigation

On 24 March 2021, the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court (DHRC) suspended the proceedings in the case…

2022-09-20
under deliberation

On 20 September 2022, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) Advocate General's Opinion …

2023-07-04
in force

On 4 July 2023, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) issued its ruling in case C‑252/2…

2024-10-10
concluded

On 10 October 2024, the Federal Cartel Office (FCO) closed its investigation into Meta (formerly Fa…