Newsletter SOMI - June 25th, 2025
This is the newsletter for June 2025 from the Foundation for Market Information Research to its relations, including the participants in its actions, its sympathizers, media professionals and app users.
Jun Wed 25 2025
SOMI Launches Collective Claim Against Meta in Belgium
Yesterday SOMI has filed a collective lawsuit at the Enterprise Court in Brussels against Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. According to research, Meta has engaged in serious and ongoing violations of European privacy and consumer protection laws since 2018.
The case challenges Meta’s controversial “Pay or Okay” model, which forces users to either accept extensive data tracking for targeted advertising or pay a subscription fee. SOMI also objects to Meta’s plan to use all content posted by European Facebook and Instagram users to train its AI systems without proper consent, relying instead on a vague “legitimate interest” and putting the burden on users to opt out. Lastly, alarming research findings link Instagram to networks that promote child sexual abuse material, revealing flaws in Meta’s content moderation and protection of minors on the platform.
SOMI is seeking financial compensation for affected users as follows: €2,000 for children under 13, €1,000 for children aged 13-15, €500 for children aged 16-17 and €350 for adults. SOMI also demand a court order to stop Meta’s unlawful practices and delete improperly collected data.
SOMI has been advised in its work by Privacy For All, a specialist data protection consultancy based in Ghent.
Adults who have used Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, or Messenger since May 25th, 2018, and parents of children who have done so, are invited to join this collective claim if they live in Belgium. Registration is currently free at facebookclaim.be, but starting August 1st, a one-time fee of €7.50 will apply. This fee will support SOMI's broader legal efforts to hold Big Tech accountable across Europe.
SOMI App 2.0
Over the past few months, our team has been working hard to completely redesign our mobile app, giving you more control and clearer insights into your online safety and personal data protection.
To bring you this improved experience, we’re launching a brand-new SOMI app 2.0. This means you will need to download the new app and delete the old one, as the old version will soon be deactivated.
Good news: all your data and credits are safe and will carry over automatically. Simply log in to the new app using your existing account, no hassle involved.
Here's how to get started:
1. Download the new SOMI app – available on App Store and Play Store
2. Log in with your email address – you’ll receive a secure login link in your inbox. No more passwords, it's safer and simpler.
3. Start exploring the new features and user interface
4. Now you can delete the old app!
Let's make Europe a safer place for our children together!
News
Meta claim hearing at the District Court of Amsterdam
On Wednesday, June 11th, 2025, an oral hearing for our collective claim against Meta in the Netherlands has taken place at the Amsterdam District Court. During this hearing, SOMI challenged Meta in a crucial jurisdictional incident, strongly defending the jurisdiction of the Dutch court to hear this case.
In the proceedings in the Netherlands, SOMI has filed claims for damages related to, among other issues, unlawful targeted advertising, the unlawful transfer of personal data to the United States, and the 2021 Facebook data breach.
SOMI emphasized that Meta's efforts to delay or dismiss the case on these grounds violate the principles of proper administration of justice. Such actions compromise the efficient and fair conduct of the proceedings. SOMI therefore strongly urges that the case move forward without delay to the admissibility stage. A verdict is expected on July 27th.
Dutch citizens and residents can still join the claim by completing the registration form at facebookleak.org.
SOMI filed a cease and desist injunction against Meta in Germany
On Friday, June 13th, SOMI has filed a cease-and-desist injunction in Germany against Meta for unlawfully using personal data from European Facebook and Instagram users to train its AI model, Llama.
SOMI is demanding an immediate halt to Meta’s data use, full transparency through the release of required GDPR assessments, and clear answers on how users’ rights are being protected. Further legal action in Germany and across the EU is being prepared.