UK tribunal green-lights $2.7B Facebook collective action antitrust lawsuit

Core Viewpoint - Meta is facing a significant class action lawsuit in the U.K. over allegations of exploiting user data, with potential damages exceeding $2.7 billion, as the case progresses after Meta's unsuccessful attempts to dismiss it [1][5]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit, led by Dr. Liza Lovdahl Gormsen, claims that Meta exploited U.K. users' personal data under an "unfair bargain" due to its market dominance in social networking [2][7]. - The collective action covers 46 million U.K. users from February 14, 2016, to October 6, 2023, and seeks damages between £2.1 billion and £3.1 billion, based on updated user data [3][5]. - The U.K. Competition Appeal Tribunal has certified the collective claim, allowing it to proceed to trial, which is a significant step in the litigation process [5]. Group 2: Implications of the Case - The lawsuit is notable for the substantial damages sought, which exceed previous fines imposed on Meta for data violations in Europe, highlighting the potential financial impact on the company [11]. - This case could set a precedent for how competition law is applied in individual legal actions and class-action antitrust suits, particularly against tech giants [12]. - The litigation aims to redefine the application of competition law concerning data exploitation, potentially shifting the legal framework for addressing related issues [13].