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Meta Platforms And TikTok Secure Legal Victory Over EU Fee Calculation

by THEFUTURE.TEAM
September 16, 2025

Judicial Ruling Underscores Procedural Oversight

Meta Platforms and TikTok emerged victorious in a legal challenge concerning the European Union’s calculation of a supervisory fee imposed under the Digital Services Act. The landmark decision by the Luxembourg-based General Court provides regulators with 12 months to revise their fee methodology, though companies will not recoup their previously paid fees.

Critique Of The Fee Methodology

Both Meta and TikTok contended that the fee—set at 0.05% of annual global net income—was unfairly determined by a formula that accounts for average monthly active users and financial performance from the prior year. The companies argued that the current approach results in disproportionate charges, particularly penalizing those with significant regulatory burdens despite reporting losses. In its ruling, the court emphasized that the fee methodology should have been established via a delegated act rather than under the current implementing decisions.

EU Commission’s Response And Next Steps

The European Commission maintained that aside from a procedural correction, the underlying fee structure remains valid. A spokesperson confirmed that the institution now has a 12-month window to adopt a delegated act formalizing the fee calculation method and adjusting the relevant decisions. This development signifies a shift in regulatory procedure rather than a substantive overhaul of the fee principle.

Industry Reactions And Broader Context

Both TikTok and Meta have taken note of the ruling. TikTok expressed its commitment to monitoring the revision process, while Meta highlighted the disparities inherent in the current system, particularly for loss-making companies burdened with higher fees despite their user base. This legal contest comes at a time when multiple tech giants—including Amazon, Apple, Booking.com, Google, Microsoft, X, Snapchat, and Pinterest—face similar supervisory fees under the Digital Services Act, which aims to enforce stricter measures on harmful content with penalties reaching 6% of annual global turnover.

Conclusion

The court’s decision reinforces the need for procedural accuracy in the regulatory framework governing digital platforms. As the EU works to recalibrate its fee calculation method, the outcome will likely set a precedent for balancing fiscal obligations with fair treatment across the tech industry.

EU Moderates Emissions While Sustaining Economic Momentum

by THEFUTURE.TEAM
November 15, 2025

The European Union witnessed a modest decline in greenhouse gas emissions in the second quarter of 2025, as reported by Eurostat. Emissions across the EU registered at 772 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalents, marking a 0.4 percent reduction from 775 million tonnes in the same period of 2024. Concurrently, the EU’s gross domestic product rose by 1.3 percent, reinforcing the ongoing decoupling between economic growth and environmental impact.

Sector-By-Sector Performance

Within the broader statistics on emissions by economic activity, the energy sector—specifically electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply—experienced the most significant drop, declining by 2.9 percent. In comparison, the manufacturing sector and transportation and storage both achieved a 0.4 percent reduction. However, household emissions bucked the trend, increasing by 1.0 percent over the same period.

National Highlights And Notable Exceptions

Among EU member states, 12 reported a reduction in emissions, while 14 saw increases, and Estonia’s figures remained static. Notably, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Finland recorded the most pronounced declines at 8.6 percent, 5.9 percent, and 4.2 percent respectively. Of the 12 countries reducing emissions, three—Finland, Germany, and Luxembourg—also experienced a contraction in GDP growth.

Dual Achievement: Environmental And Economic Goals

In an encouraging development, nine member states, including Cyprus, managed to lower their emissions while maintaining economic expansion. This dual achievement—reducing environmental impact while fostering economic activity—is a trend that has increasingly influenced EU climate policies. Other nations that successfully balanced these outcomes include Austria, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, and Sweden.

Conclusion

As the EU continues to navigate its climate commitments, these quarterly insights underscore a gradual yet significant shift toward balancing emissions reductions with robust economic growth. The evolving landscape highlights the critical need for sustainable strategies that not only mitigate environmental risks but also invigorate economic resilience.

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