Fb Able to Decide to Clear Commercial Information Entry for Companions: French Watchdog

The US social media giant Facebook has pledged to provide its partners with clear and objective access conditions to advertising inventories and advertising campaign data, the French antitrust authority announced on Thursday after an investigation.

Facebook’s proposed commitments followed a complaint by French online advertising group Criteo, which indicated its withdrawal from the Facebook Marketing Partner (FMP) program in 2018, claiming that the US giant’s practices constituted degrading behavior.

FMPs are part of a group of more than 100 technology providers that offer advertisers services to improve their online advertising campaigns, the watchdog said.

In order to obtain FMP status, companies go through a selection process and are bound by certain rules. In return, Facebook allows them to use some of its services.

The watchdog’s investigation found that Facebook’s practices are “likely” to affect access to advertising inventories and data on advertising campaigns on Facebook.

He also stressed the lack of transparency and objectivity in handling applications for an FMP.

In response to that early investigation, Facebook offered to maintain objectivity, clarity and non-discrimination regarding the performance criteria required by FMPs and to offer regular compliance training to sales teams, the watchdog said.

Facebook is ready to enter into these commitments, which the antitrust authorities submitted for public consultation by July 5, for a period of three years. The commitments only apply to companies targeting French users of Facebook and Instagram.

Facebook did not immediately respond to a request requesting comment.

Criteo said it would review Facebook’s commitments in the coming weeks.

“We are encouraged by Facebook’s pledges to maintain an objective and non-discriminatory affiliate program,” it said.

© Thomson Reuters 2021

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