Meta, the parent company of social media giant Facebook, has suffered a legal setback in its ongoing antitrust battle with the European Union (EU). The EU’s General Court has ruled that the European Commission (EC) can access internal documents from Meta, which could provide crucial evidence in the antitrust investigation.

The EU’s antitrust probe into Meta began in 2020, with the EC accusing the company of abusing its dominant market position to stifle competition. The investigation centers on Meta’s use of user data and its impact on the advertising market.

Meta has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has challenged the EC’s request for access to internal documents. However, the General Court has now ruled that the EC’s request is legitimate and that Meta must comply.

The ruling is a significant setback for Meta, as the internal documents could provide crucial evidence in the antitrust investigation. The documents could shed light on Meta’s business practices and reveal whether the company has engaged in anti-competitive behavior.

The EU’s antitrust investigation into Meta is part of a broader effort by regulators around the world to hold tech companies accountable for their actions. Meta is just one of several tech giants that have come under fire for their business practices, with regulators in the US, UK, and Australia also investigating the company.

The ruling by the General Court is a significant development in the antitrust battle between the EU and Meta. The internal documents that the EC will now be able to access could provide crucial evidence in the investigation and could potentially lead to fines or other penalties for Meta.

The ruling also highlights the growing scrutiny that tech companies are facing from regulators around the world. In recent years, tech companies have come under fire for a range of issues, including data privacy, misinformation, and antitrust concerns.

Meta has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has argued that its business practices are in line with industry standards. The company has also pointed out that it faces significant competition from other tech companies, including Google and Amazon.

However, the ruling by the General Court is a significant setback for Meta, as it could provide the EU with the evidence it needs to prove that the company has engaged in anti-competitive behavior.

In conclusion, the ruling by the EU’s General Court is a significant setback for Meta in its antitrust battle with the EU. The internal documents that the EC will now be able to access could provide crucial evidence in the investigation and could potentially lead to fines or other penalties for Meta. The ruling also highlights the growing scrutiny that tech companies are facing from regulators around the world and underscores the need for greater accountability in the tech industry. However, it’s important to note that this is just one side of the story, and the investigation is ongoing.