Facebook ready to commit to clear ad data access for partners, French watchdog says (updated)

Criteo SA (Pre-Reincorporation)

03/06/2021 18:39

(Adds details, background.)
    By Mathieu Rosemain
    PARIS, June 3 (Reuters) - U.S. social media giant Facebook
 FB.O  has offered to commit to providing its partners with
clear and objective conditions of access to advertising
inventories and ad campaign data, France's antitrust authority
said on Thursday following an investigation. 
    Facebook's proposed commitments followed a complaint by
French online advertising group Criteo  CRTO.O , which pointed
to its withdrawal from the Facebook Marketing Partner (FMP)
scheme in 2018 and alleged the U.S. giant's practices
constituted denigrating conduct.
    FMPs are part of a group of more than 100 technology
providers that offer advertisers services to improve their
online ad campaigns, the watchdog said. 
    To obtain FMP status, companies undergo a selection process
and are compelled to abide by certain rules. In return, Facebook
allows them to use some of its services.  
    The watchdog's investigation found that Facebook's practices
were "likely" to impair access to advertising inventories and ad
campaign data on Facebook. 
    It also underlined a lack of transparency and objectivity in
the way applications to become an FMP are treated.
    In response to this early probe, Facebook offered to
maintain objectivity, clarity and non-discrimination around the
performance criteria required of FMPs, and offer regular
compliance training to sales teams, the watchdog said. 
    Facebook is ready to make these commitments, which the
antitrust authority submitted for public consultation until July
5, for a three-year period. The commitments only apply to
companies that target French users of Facebook and Instagram. 
    Facebook did not immediately reply to a request seeking
comment. 
    Criteo said it would review Facebook's commitments over
coming weeks. 
    "We are encouraged by Facebook's commitments around
maintaining an objective and non-discriminatory partner
program," it said. 
    
    
 

 (Reporting by Mathieu Rosemain; editing by David Evans, Kirsten
Donovan)
 ((Mathieu.Rosemain@thomsonreuters.com; +33 1 8098 1239; Reuters
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