Courts / Ireland / Report

Meta and WhatsApp to challenge media watchdog's €12m levy

Summary

Meta and WhatsApp have been granted permission by the High Court to challenge the €12 million levy imposed on them by Coimisiún na Meán. The companies argue that the commission's calculation of the levy lacks transparency, particularly regarding how the supervisory fee payable to the European Commission under the Digital Services Act was taken into account. Meta and WhatsApp claim they were not provided with any explanation of how the total amount was calculated and were only issued with invoices instead of appropriate notices. The companies are seeking an order to quash the statutory instrument under which the levy was issued and a declaration that the commission acted unlawfully and beyond its power. The applicants argue that the commission has a discretion to impose a levy but must provide transparency on incurred levies. The case was adjourned to April for further proceedings. The companies claim that the levy imposed on them collectively amounts to €12,921,438 and that they had no way to verify the correct formula used in calculating the levy.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Meta and WhatsApp to challenge media watchdog's €12m levy. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• 2026-02-16 Publication

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report