Facebook Sues EU Antitrust Regulators Over Unnecessary Data Questions

Facebook confirmed on Monday that is has sued antitrust regulators with the European Union. The social media giant claims that these investigators have requested information that is not necessary as it looks into their data and marketplace. Some of these requests have even allegedly called for employee personal information.

Facebook has been the target of EU regulators since 2019 over its collection of user data and its digital marketplace through which users in 70 countries can buy and sell items. The social network giant claims to have complied with the investigation until now, handing over roughly 1.7 million pages of documents.

“The exceptionally broad nature of the Commission’s requests means we would be required to turn over predominantly irrelevant documents that have nothing to do with the Commission’s investigations,” said Tim Lamb, associate general counsel for Facebook. “Including highly sensitive personal information such as employees’ medical information, personal financial documents, and private information about family members of employees. We think such requests should be reviewed by the EU Courts.”

The antitrust regulators are specifically seeking documents with the phrases “big question,” “shut down,” and “not good for us” in them.

Facebook claims these phrases can be found in highly sensitive personal documents, including employee evaluations, applications, and medical information, which it believes have no bearing on the investigation.

Facebook also claims that it offered to let investigators view some of these documents in secure rooms where no copies could be made. This offer was turned down.