Newsletter SOMI - October 7th, 2025
This is the newsletter for October 2025 from the Foundation for Market Information Research to its relations, including the participants in its actions, its sympathizers, media professionals and app users.
Oct Tue 07 2025
SOMI Maintains Standing in TikTok Proceedings in the Netherlands and Expands Actions Across Europe
The Amsterdam Court of Appeal has confirmed that Stichting Onderzoek Marktinformatie (SOMI) has standing in the collective proceedings against TikTok in the Netherlands. This standing has now hereby also been confirmed in relation to the ongoing litigation against X and Meta in the Netherlands.
With this appeal, SOMI also successfully challenged the decision regarding the immaterial damages, which concern the emotional and privacy harm suffered by users due to TikTok’s unlawful data practices. SOMI firmly believes that the District Court of Amsterdam had wrongly ruled that immaterial damages must be assessed on an individual basis. The Court of Appeal has now acknowledged that such damages can indeed be claimed collectively on behalf of all affected users. This recognition is a significant step forward in ensuring that victims of privacy violations receive justice and fair compensation for the harm done to their privacy and fundamental rights.
While the Court has decided not to appoint SOMI as the Exclusive Representative in this case, this decision does not affect SOMI’s broader mission to defend consumers’ digital rights across Europe. This ruling allows SOMI to represent both its adult and under-age participants in the ongoing litigation, ensuring that the voices and interests of our participants continue to be represented effectively. SOMI congratulates Stichting Take Back Your Privacy and Stichting Massaschade & Consument on this important judgment and looks forward to continued collaboration in the shared effort to hold TikTok accountable.
Meanwhile SOMI continues to lead efforts to hold US and Chinese platforms accountable throughout the European Union. Alongside its ongoing proceedings in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Denmark, SOMI continues to expand to a Europe-wide framework to protect privacy and ensure that BigTech companies comply with their obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Digital Services Act (DSA), AI Act and consumer protection law. It will also add new campaigns to this effort in The Netherlands and elsewhere within the EU this year.
Following this ruling, a period of standstill will commence to allow for settlement negotiations with TikTok. If a settlement is reached, it will require court approval. If no settlement is reached, legal proceedings will have to continue to enforce compensation for the TikTok users.
SOMI will continue to inform and represent its participants during this next stage and remain committed to pursuing justice and fair compensation for all affected TikTok users in the Netherlands and beyond.
News
SOMI Sends Warning Letter to Meta in Denmark
On September 29th, SOMI has issued a formal warning to Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, for exposing Danish children and young adults to harmful and addictive digital products. SOMI, in collaboration with law firm Lassen Ricard, announced plans for what could become Denmark’s first class action lawsuit against Meta during the National Consultation on Social Media and Search Engines in Copenhagen.
Stay tuned as SOMI takes on Meta in what could become a landmark case for children’s digital safety in Denmark.
Serial Litigation on SOMI App
SOMI has launched an automated litigation process through the SOMI App, designed to escalate repeated failures to respond to Data Processing Entities (DPEs) request into formal legal action. If a company or data processor repeatedly violates individuals’ right to access their personal data under the GDPR, this tool can initiate litigation efficiently through series of automated email warning and follow ups.
By combining advanced technology with our expertise in privacy law, SOMI App reduces the time and costs associated with enforcing GDPR rights, while empowering consumers to regain control over their personal data and digital footprint across companies, platforms, and apps operating in the EU.