The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has accepted proposals to vary Meta’s commitments in the way it uses advertising customers’ data. 



Under the original commitments, Meta pledged to limit how it uses advertising customers’ data in order to prevent it from getting an unfair advantage. Competitors of Facebook Marketplace that advertised on Meta platforms could ‘opt out’ of their data being used to improve Facebook Marketplace. 



The varied commitments give Meta an additional way to implement the data controls set up in the original commitments. Meta currently plans to adopt this new approach meaning that all advertisers can retain the ability to place advertisements on Facebook Marketplace and be certain of their advertising data not being used to improve Facebook Marketplace, without having to opt in or out.



Having consulted advertisers and Facebook Marketplace users on the proposals, the CMA has concluded that the revisions go above and beyond the original commitments and would not leave any advertisers worse off. As a result, the CMA has accepted the proposed variation. 



More information can be found on the Investigation into Meta’s use of data case page.

Notes to editors:  


  
    

The CMA consulted on the proposed variation in May - June 2024, after Meta voluntarily submitted the variation in April 2024. 
  
  
    

Facebook is owned by Meta. Facebook Marketplace is a feature in Meta’s Facebook app and on desktops and tablets that allows users to post or browse classified ads items for sale.  
  
  
    

The CMA opened its original investigation in June 2021. 
  
  
    

All media enquiries should be directed to the CMA press office by email at press@cma.gov.uk or by phone on 020 3738 6460.

CMA Approves Meta's Changes in Ad Data Use Rules

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has approved Meta's revised commitments on how it utilizes advertising customers' data to prevent unfair advantages, offering additional ways to implement data controls beyond the original commitments.

        Previously, Meta pledged to limit the use of advertising customers' data to avoid unfair advantages, allowing competitors of Facebook Marketplace on Meta platforms to opt out of data usage for improving Facebook Marketplace.

        The updated commitments enable Meta to introduce a new approach to data controls, ensuring all advertisers can place ads on Facebook Marketplace without their data being used to enhance the platform, eliminating the need for opt-ins or opt-outs.

        After consulting with advertisers and Facebook Marketplace users, the CMA determined that the proposed revisions exceed the original commitments and do not disadvantage any advertisers, leading to the acceptance of the proposed changes.

        For more details, refer to the Investigation into Meta's use of data case page.



CMA Approves Meta's Changes in Ad Data Use Rules

The CMA has accepted Meta's proposals to amend its commitments regarding the use of advertising customers' data, allowing all advertisers on Meta platforms to control their data usage without opting in or out.