The Antitrust Probe Into Facebook Heats Up
Tue 31st Dec 2019 | Posted by Glancy Law, on Blog
Social media giant Facebook’s rough patch with regulators is not showing any signs of improvement for Mark Zuckerberg and company.
A total of 47 state attorneys general have joined an investigation into whether Facebook violated antitrust law by putting user information at risk and artificially inflating advertising prices, according to Reuters. The top public lawyers in those states are being led in the probe by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
“Facebook has played a major role in shaping our global online economy as one of the largest social media platforms in the world. It is illegal for a business to use its market power to engage in anticompetitive conduct in an effort to achieve or maintain a monopoly,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said after joining the investigation. “Our personal data is the biggest commodity in today’s online economy and, as the chief law enforcement officer of the state, it is my duty to ensure Michigan residents’ personal data doesn’t continue to be pillaged in a monopolist’s quest to control social media and advertising markets.”
The probe was originally announced in September. Facebook is also facing a separate investigation by the Federal Trade Commission, related to undisclosed antitrust concerns. The FTC in July hit Facebook with a $5 billion fine for allowing Cambridge Analytica to access some 87 million Facebook users’ data without their consent.
Legal Remedies for Data Breaches, Antitrust Violations
The Facebook probe is the latest reminder that companies often play fast and loose with their customers’ personal information.
At Glancy Prongay & Murray, our attorneys help people protect themselves from data breaches and other attacks on their private information. We also help consumers exercise their rights to seek compensation for the financial damage caused by antitrust violations.
That includes by representing clients in class actions, lawsuits in which a number of people harmed by the same antitrust violations or other unlawful conduct join together to seek compensation for their injuries. This legal tool allows people to share the cost and risk of litigation and leverage their claims to try to force companies to the negotiating table.
We take most of our class action cases on a contingency fee basis. That means we largely only get paid if we win the case at trial or through a negotiated settlement.
How an Antitrust Lawyer Can Help You
If you are considering legal action against a business responsible for data breaches or engaged in anticompetitive activity, it is vital that you consult an experienced antitrust lawyer. At Glancy Prongay & Murray, we have decades of combined experience in antitrust and other related cases. We guide clients through the legal process with experience and personal attention.
Our firm has been representing people in antitrust and other similar cases for more than 25 years. We have a strong track record of success in these cases. Call us at (310) 201-9150 or contact us online to speak with an antitrust lawyer today.