On behalf of 45 million Facebook users, legal scholar Dr. Liza Lovdahl Gormsen is bringing the action.
Her initial claim was denied in 2023, but it has since been accepted in a revised form. The latest it can be heard is early in 2026.
The allegations, according to Meta, “remain entirely without merit and we will vigorously defend against them”.
Offer: “Take it or leave it”
According to court filings, the new action asserts that “Facebook has struck an unfair bargain with its users.”
By forcing users to give Facebook their data from non-Facebook products, such as Instagram, which is owned by Meta, and other third-party websites, Facebook exploited its control.
Furthermore, it had become “a condition of accessing the Facebook platform, pursuant to a ‘take-it-or-leave-it’ offer” to share data with third parties.
Facebook has adverts but is otherwise free to use.
It can target advertisements more effectively and impose more fees the more data it has about its consumers.
“Fundamental issues”
Compensation ranging from £2.07 to £3.1 billion is sought in the action for Facebook users who had accounts between February 2016 and October 2023.
The Competition Appeal Tribunal will hear it.
