Yazılar

Meta to Test Integration of eBay Listings on Facebook Marketplace

Meta announced on Wednesday that it would begin testing a new feature that integrates eBay listings into Facebook Marketplace, initially in Germany, France, and the United States. This initiative allows buyers to browse eBay listings directly on Facebook Marketplace, with transactions being completed through eBay.

The move comes as Meta continues to appeal a significant $840 million fine imposed by the European Commission in November over alleged anti-competitive practices related to Facebook Marketplace. Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Meta confirmed it is actively working to address the concerns raised by the Commission.

Meta emphasized that this new collaboration would benefit both eBay sellers, who would gain exposure to Facebook’s large user base, and Marketplace users, who would have access to a wider range of products from the eBay community.

 

EU Rejects Meta’s Censorship Claims, Defends Data Laws

The European Commission responded on Wednesday to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s claims that European Union data laws were effectively censoring social media platforms. The Commission rejected the assertion, clarifying that the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) does not mandate the removal of lawful content. Instead, it only requires platforms to take down harmful content, such as material that could harm children or threaten the democratic process within the EU.

Zuckerberg had criticized the EU’s increasing number of laws, suggesting they hinder innovation and promote censorship. He also announced that Meta would dismantle its fact-checking programs in the U.S., opting for a “community notes” system similar to X’s model, where users can add notes to posts they deem misleading, provided these notes receive broad support.

In response, the European Commission emphasized that while platforms may adopt their own content moderation strategies, any system used within the EU would need to undergo a risk assessment. The Commission stressed that it does not prescribe specific moderation approaches but does require that any system implemented be effective in addressing harmful content.

A Commission spokesperson stated that EU users would continue to benefit from independent fact-checking processes, ensuring the accuracy and safety of content shared across platforms.

 

EU Court Imposes Fine on EU for Breaching Own Data Protection Law

In a landmark decision, the EU General Court ruled on Wednesday that the European Commission must pay compensation to a German citizen for breaching its own data protection laws. The court found that the Commission transferred the citizen’s personal data to the United States without adequate safeguards, in violation of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The case stemmed from the individual using the “Sign in with Facebook” option to register for a conference via the EU login page. The court concluded that the Commission’s transfer of the user’s IP address to Meta Platforms in the U.S. was unlawful, as it did not meet the required data protection standards set out by the GDPR. As a result, the Commission was ordered to pay the citizen 400 euros ($412) in damages.

A spokesperson for the European Commission acknowledged the ruling and stated that it would carefully assess the judgment and its implications. This decision marks a significant development in the enforcement of GDPR, a regulation widely considered to be among the most robust data privacy laws globally. Many major companies, including Meta, LinkedIn, and Klarna, have faced heavy fines from the EU for failing to comply with these regulations.