FRANCE ORDERS META TO NEGOTIATE WITH NEWS ORGS

The French competition watchdog issued the directive after receiving complaints in 2025 from news organizations claiming Meta failed to properly compensate them for content displayed on its platforms. Under the order, Meta must participate in substantive negotiations with the complainants to reach agreements on copyright payments. The move reflects ongoing tension between major tech platforms and publishers over how digital content should be monetized. France has been a leading jurisdiction in enforcing digital regulations against tech giants. In 2021, French authorities previously fined Meta €60 million for non-compliance with cookie consent rules. The copyright dispute mirrors similar conflicts globally, where news publishers argue that platforms like Meta and Google benefit from their content without fair compensation. Meta has implemented various news-sharing agreements in different markets, though tensions persist over payment terms.