Meta lost its legal challenge against the European Union’s decision to label Messenger as a powerful digital “gatekeeper,” but won a separate part of the case involving Facebook Marketplace.
Europe’s second-highest court upheld the European Commission’s finding that Messenger is an important gateway for businesses to reach users.
Court keeps Messenger under DMA rules
The ruling means Messenger remains covered by the EU’s Digital Markets Act, or DMA.
Reuters reported that the Luxembourg-based General Court said the European Commission “did not err” in finding that Messenger individually is an important gateway.
The Straits Times also said the court agreed with the Commission that Messenger was distinct from Facebook, noting that it is offered through standalone applications and promoted with service-specific tools.
That distinction matters because Meta argued that Messenger was only an extension of Facebook and should not face strict obligations on its own. The court rejected that argument, keeping Messenger inside the EU’s gatekeeper framework.
Marketplace wins a separate challenge
Meta had better luck with Facebook Marketplace.
The General Court annulled the gatekeeper designation for Marketplace because the European Commission failed to adequately explain its reasoning. The court found the Commission had “erred in law” on several points and failed to take into account platform changes made in mid-2023.
However, the Marketplace victory may have limited practical impact. The ruling is largely academic because the European Commission had already dropped Marketplace’s gatekeeper label last year after the service fell below the user threshold.
Meta says it is reviewing options
Meta welcomed the Marketplace part of the decision but stopped short of declaring victory overall.
Meta spokesperson as saying the company welcomes the court’s Marketplace judgment, which it said confirms Marketplace should not have been designated in the first place. The spokesperson also said Meta is reviewing the court’s finding on Messenger and will consider its options.
The case can still be appealed. The ruling may be appealed to the Court of Justice of the European Union, the bloc’s highest court.
DMA continues to pressure Big Tech
The case is part of the EU’s wider effort to regulate powerful technology platforms.
The DMA became applicable in 2023 and sets out a list of obligations designed to rein in Big Tech and create a level playing field for competitors. Meta’s Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp products are also subject to extra scrutiny as core platform services under the law.
The Straits Times also noted that the EU’s gatekeepers include Meta, TikTok owner ByteDance, Google parent Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Booking, and Microsoft.
EU tech rules remain politically sensitive
The ruling arrives as EU digital regulation continues to face criticism from the United States.
The DMA has faced fierce criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. The report also said the EU imposed its first DMA fines in 2025, penalizing Meta €200 million and Apple €500 million.
For Meta, the split ruling gives the company one legal win but keeps Messenger under strict EU obligations. For Brussels, the decision strengthens its authority to regulate messaging services that act as key gateways between businesses and users.
The broader message is clear: the EU’s gatekeeper rules are still facing legal tests, but courts are not automatically accepting Big Tech’s argument that services bundled into larger platforms should escape separate scrutiny.
