Meta seeks to dismiss a $4B class-action lawsuit over Facebook's ad auction system, citing legal technicalities.

Meta is seeking to have a class-action lawsuit dismissed, alleging Facebook overcharged advertisers by about $4 billion from 2013 to 2017 due to a flawed ad auction system. The plaintiffs claim Facebook used a "blended price" system instead of a promised "second price" model, but Meta argues the complaint lacks contractual specifics needed to support a breach claim. The case, previously dismissed and refiled, hinges on legal technicalities, including the statute of limitations. Meanwhile, U.S. streaming ad spending is projected to hit $12.3 billion in 2025, up 13%, driven by ad-supported plans from Netflix, Disney, and others. While advertisers benefit from targeted, interactive ads and lower costs, viewers face frustration from repetitive, low-quality, or poorly timed commercials, raising concerns about long-term subscriber retention.