Meta Platforms Inc. is taking steps to comply with a European Union antitrust order by offering to publish listings from eBay Inc. on Facebook Marketplace. This initiative follows a €798 million ($822 million) fine imposed on Meta for abusing its market dominance. The company plans to test this feature in Germany, France, and the US, allowing users to browse eBay listings directly on Facebook while completing transactions on eBay.
Despite these changes, Meta maintains its disagreement with the EU's ruling and is appealing the decision in EU courts. The EU's order, issued in November, requires Meta to stop linking its classified ads service to Facebook and to avoid imposing unfair conditions on rival platforms. A spokesperson from the commission emphasized that Meta must comply within 90 days of the original ruling.
This fine was part of the legacy of former EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager, who has imposed significant penalties on major American tech firms, including over €8 billion against Alphabet Inc.'s Google. The UK's Competition and Markets Authority also investigated Facebook Marketplace but opted for concessions rather than continuing its inquiry.
