Internal documents reveal that Meta may have earned around 10% of its 2024 revenue (about $16 billion) from ads linked to scams and banned goods, with its platforms hosting an estimated 15 billion high-risk ads daily. Meta’s enforcement strategy allows suspected fraudulent advertisers to continue paying for ads (often at higher “penalty bids”) rather than being immediately removed. At the same time, a coalition of over 30 advocacy groups has urged the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to act against Meta for allegedly using chatbot conversation data for advertising without proper consent, in violation of the FTC’s 2020 Order. Together, the revelations highlight mounting concerns over Meta’s monetization practices and its handling of user data amid growing regulatory scrutiny.

The European Commission will present its “digital omnibus” reform package on 19 November, aiming to simplify EU tech rules by easing GDPR compliance for businesses, recognizing “legitimate interest” as a legal basis for AI training, and unifying data and cookie regulations. In the leak of the proposal text is included a new global browser signal for cookie consent that websites and apps must respect, except for media services, which are explicitly exempt to preserve their current advertising-based models deemed vital for democratic sustainability. This carve-out reflects the Commission’s intent to balance digital simplification with support for Europe’s media sector ahead of its upcoming European Democracy Shield initiative.

On 4 November 2025, the European Parliament’s CULT, IMCO, and PETI Committees held a joint hearing and discussion on protecting children and adolescents online, building on recent Commission guidelines and petitions on minors’ digital safety. Rapporteur Sandro Ruotolo stressed a whole-of-society approach covering digital literacy, age verification, and shared responsibility among parents, educators, and platforms, while MEPs and stakeholders warned of risks like addiction, manipulative ads, and exploitative design. The amendments to the CULT report are due by 13 November and a committee vote is set for April 2026.

The Commission outlined upcoming actions, including a Cyberbullying Action Plan, the Digital Fairness Act, and of course the review of the AVMSD, on which a workshop was held on 5 November. Overall, during this workshop, broadcasters used the forum to voice concerns about the uneven regulatory landscape, where traditional media face strict advertising limits while online platforms and influencers operate with far more flexibility. The next steps regarding the AVMSD evaluation are a call for evidence in the next weeks, followed by a public consultation in January.

A recent study by Germany’s Landesanstalt für Medien Nordrhein‑Westfalen (LfM) reveals that “political influencers” (social-media creators endorsing political causes or candidates) are growing rapidly, yet they operate outside the scope of regulations for journalism or political advertising, creating regulatory blind spots. It found that among 15 to 24-year-olds, 74 % follow influencers, and the line between opinion and information was unclear in 59 % of sampled content, raising concerns about manipulation and democratic trust. The study argues that new regulatory approaches, potentially under the upcoming Digital Fairness Act, are needed to ensure accountability and clarity for influencer-driven political communication.

Google has quietly shelved its six-year-old Privacy Sandbox initiative, which sought to replace third-party cookies with a ‘privacy-first’ advertising framework, after several delays and mounting technical and competitive concerns. The initiative also had a low support from the industry, with many arguing that the proposed APIs failed to support basic ad-tech use cases, while regulators and competitors flagged the risk of Google gaining even more dominance.

Meta is rolling out a “consent or pay” model in the UK, giving Facebook and Instagram users the choice to accept targeted ads or subscribe for an ad-free experience at £2.99 per month on the web and £3.99 on mobile, with additional linked accounts covered by a single fee. The move, prompted by regulatory pressure over data privacy and ad targeting, mirrors a similar model in the EU but comes at a lower price, and regulators have welcomed it as a clearer way for users to control how their data is used.

On the ongoing Google AdTech case in the US, Judge Brinkema signalled that she is focused on concrete feasibility: she wants to hear testimony from engineers and Googlers about whether divesting Google’s ad exchange (AdX) and publisher ad server (DFP) is technically and economically possible. Google’s own internal studies suggest that such divestitures are feasible, albeit over a multi-year timeline, which bolsters the DOJ’s remedy arguments. However, Brinkema has also raised sceptical questions about the disruption to small publishers, the danger Google might shift away from open-web advertising, and the burdens of long-term oversight, signalling that the DOJ still has to make a compelling case.

The European Commission has initiated a public consultation to gather feedback on simplifying EU legislation concerning data, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence (AI) as part of the upcoming Digital Omnibus. This initiative aligns with the Commission's broader simplification agenda, aiming to reduce administrative burdens by at least 25% for all companies and 35% for small and medium-sized enterprises. The call for evidence is open until 14 October 2025.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is investigating whether Amazon and Google misled advertisers about the terms and pricing of advertising on their platforms. ‏For Amazon, the probe looks into its real-time auction mechanisms and whether it properly disclosed "reserve pricing", which is the minimum bid required for certain ads. For Google, it consists in examining whether costs for ads were raised without clearly informing advertisers.

The European Commission is preparing proposals to simplify how users give consent for cookies, aiming to reduce the multitude of cookie banners by introducing centralised consent tools and permanent preference settings. They are currently gathering feedback by organising focus group discussions with businesses called 'reality checks', to assess the implementation of digital legislation and the impact on business operations. These changes are intended to ease the burden on users and lessen compliance costs for businesses. The overarching stated goal is to make consent user-friendly without weakening privacy laws or undermining online business models.

A new report by Poland’s Consumer Forum accuses beer producers of routinely skirting strict advertising rules through loopholes, surrogate marketing of non-alcoholic products, and unchecked large-scale promotions, while enforcement authorities impose almost no penalties. With alcohol consumption and related harms rising, the group argues that ineffective oversight is worsening public health and social costs. In response, it is pushing for a sweeping 2026 amendment to Poland’s sobriety promotion law that would fully ban beer, impose tougher penalties, and close legal loopholes that normalize alcohol use among young people.

Despite the recent U.S.-EU digital trade deal intended to stabilize relations, President Trump has already threatened tariffs on countries whose digital regulations or taxes he claims disadvantage U.S. tech firms, threatening to undermine the agreement. The EU is defending its digital sovereignty through the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA), while European leaders face pressure to uphold these rules decisively amid the renewed tensions. This situation thus remains fragile, as nothing seems to be off the table.

A U.S. federal court is preparing to rule on whether Google must divest its Chrome browser following a finding that it illegally monopolizes search. Such a decision could reverberate across the Atlantic as Brussels weighs its own antitrust action. While a U.S. led breakup would be politically more feasible than one from the EU, some experts suggest that it could shape the Commission’s response despite U.S. pressure to ease off Big Tech. Still, critics warn that forcing a sale of Chrome could destabilize the web ecosystem and hurt smaller browsers. On the other hand, Google insists its dominance reflects consumer choice rather than coercion.

A new declaration, adopted at a ministerial meeting in Copenhagen on 4 November 2025, affirms that culture, independent media and Europe’s cultural heritage are essential pillars for safeguarding democracy in the face of disinformation and foreign interference. The declaration has been supported by 26 of the 27 EU Member States, along with the UK, Ukraine, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. Only Hungary has declined to endorse it.

The European Commission has set up a new ‘Expert Group of Providers of Political Advertising Services’ to monitor how the upcoming Regulation is applied and to gather practical feedback from the sector. The call for applications is now open until 10 December 2025, and individual companies are welcome to apply. This initiative aims to ensure that industry voices directly shape the implementation of the EU’s new political advertising framework.

The European Commission published its 2026 work programme on 21 October 2025, which  sets out measures aimed at reinforcing Europe’s sovereignty, competitiveness, and resilience. It aims at continuing earlier policy goals by emphasising support for industrial innovation, clean and digital technology development, social safety nets, and shared security, while also aiming to streamline EU legislation to lower administrative burdens and costs. The programme also points to forthcoming and vaguely defined ‘update’ of the AVMSD with an emphasis on simplification, whereas the Green Claims Directive remains under consideration and has not yet moved forward.

The EU’s new Political Advertising Regulation, effective 10 October 2025, requires all political ads to carry transparency labels detailing sponsors, spending, targeted audiences, and related elections, aiming to curb misinformation and foreign interference. Broadcasters now face increased scrutiny and administrative burdens to ensure compliance, while Meta and Google’s withdrawal from political and social-issue advertising in the EU raises concerns about limited access to major digital channels. This retreat could shift influence toward illiberal actors, testing whether the regulation can effectively ensure transparency without reducing public debate.

The European Commission published preliminarily conclusions indicating that Meta Platforms and TikTok violated key transparency and safety obligations under the Digital Services Act by using confusing interface designs and restricting researcher access to platform data, thereby hampering user rights and public scrutiny. Both platforms now face investigations and potential fines of up to 6 % of their global annual turnover if found in breach when the inquiries are concluded. Meta disputes the findings and says it is working to comply, while TikTok argues the rules conflict with Europe’s privacy law and is reviewing the Commission’s conclusions.

Europe is ramping up pressure on Google’s ad tech business, with regulators ready to impose structural remedies, including a breakup, if its proposals fall short. The European Commission has set deadlines and is acting more aggressively than U.S. courts, while protests in Brussels call for divestitures, warning that Google’s dominance harms competition, publishers, and the digital ecosystem.

The Dutch Data Protection Authority, together with DPAs from Hungary, Italy, and Liechtenstein, published a report following a joint exploratory investigation into smart TVs, focusing on three models from different manufacturers and the data flows they generate. The findings indicate that these devices transmit substantial data during installation, daily use, even switched off, and operate within a complex and opaque ecosystem of manufacturers, OS providers, and app developers. It also found that they frequently limit users’ ability to manage privacy settings, and include pre-installed apps that raise concerns about data minimisation and users’ rights.

Six EU countries (Austria, Belgium, France, Latvia, Slovenia, and Spain) are urging the European Commission to introduce stronger alcohol restrictions, including higher taxes, advertising limits, and broader public health measures, as part of its upcoming EU cardiovascular health plan. Their proposals echo past debates on labelling, with calls for mandatory nutrition and health warnings on alcohol, though previous efforts faced resistance from heavy wine and beer producing nations. The Commission is currently gathering input from stakeholders, with the final health plan expected by the end of the year.

On 11 September, the European Commission and the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) issued guidelines on how the Digital Services Act (DSA) aligns with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), particularly in protecting minors online. The EDPB noted that Article 28 of the DSA can serve as a legal basis for processing personal data if such use is necessary and proportionate, but cautioned against intrusive age verification methods or the permanent storage of users’ age information. It also recommended clarifying how codes of conduct under both laws interact and ensuring that the appropriate authorities are involved in their implementation.

The European Commission has fined Google €2.95 billion ($3.5 billion) for abusing its dominance in the digital ad-tech market by favouring its own display advertising services and creating conflicts of interest across the supply chain. It ordered Google to end these self-preferencing practices and gave the company 60 days to propose remedies. The Commission also specified that structural measures such as divestment could be on the table, but first wishes to hear and assess Google's proposal. Google has rejected the ruling as “wrong” and announced plans to appeal, arguing that such changes will disadvantage European businesses, while critics contend that only a break-up of parts of its ad-tech operations would truly restore fair competition.

The UK’s new age-verification mandate under the Online Safety Act is producing a perverse effect: many pornographic sites that comply by requiring face scans or driver’s licenses have seen sharp traffic declines, while non-compliant platforms are thriving. The law seems to be rewarding rule-breakers and encouraging users toward riskier, unregulated corners of the web. Such a misfire could the unintended consequences of more heavy-handed regulations, failing to account for user behaviour and ecosystem dynamics.

However, on ad tech, the European Commission is poised to issue a modest antitrust fine to Google in the coming weeks after a four-year investigation found that the company favoured its own advertising services, shifting from its previous reliance on hefty penalties under former chief Margrethe Vestager. Under new competition head Teresa Ribera, the focus has shifted toward encouraging behavioural change rather than strict punishment, and no divestiture of tools like DoubleClick for Publishers or AdX is expected.