Bourgg Int. Law Firm on Landmark EU Court Ruling Restricting Meta’s Data Practices

Santiago / Luxembourg, July 4, 2025 — Bourgg International Law Firm underscores the far‑reaching implications of the recent Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) judgment that significantly curtails how major technology platforms may collect and process personal data for targeted advertising.

The case arose from proceedings initiated by Germany’s competition authority against Meta Platforms (parent company of Facebook and Instagram), alleging violations of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) through the combination of user data from its own services with information obtained from third‑party websites and applications — without explicit user consent.

Key findings of the CJEU:

• Consent must be freely given, informed, and specific; it cannot be tied to the use of the service.

• Large‑scale data harvesting for personalised advertising without clear authorisation is unlawful under the GDPR.

• Competition authorities may intervene where abuse of a dominant position is linked to data protection breaches.

Legal and strategic impact Bourgg’s Data Protection and Digital Regulation team notes that this precedent:

• Strengthens user control over personal data and narrows the scope for behavioural advertising models.

• Signals a convergence between competition law and data protection enforcement.

• Sets a benchmark likely to influence regulators beyond the EU, potentially reshaping global digital advertising practices.

Implications for clients For multinational corporations and digital platforms, this ruling underscores the urgency of:

• Reviewing consent mechanisms to ensure compliance with heightened legal standards.

• Segregating data sources unless explicit, granular consent is obtained.

• Anticipating cross‑border regulatory alignment that could extend similar restrictions to other jurisdictions.

Firm statement

“This decision represents a structural shift in the data economy. It compels companies to rethink not only their compliance frameworks but also their core business models. Bourgg is ready to guide clients through this evolving regulatory landscape, ensuring both legal compliance and strategic resilience,” said the firm’s Corporative Practice leadership.