The Limassol District Court is set to hear an unprecedented case, before which Cypriot attorney Petros Papadopoulos has filed a lawsuit against Meta, the company that operates Facebook and Instagram.

The reason? As Mr. Papadopoulos argues, Meta’s policies—and specifically those of Facebook and Instagram—regarding the ban on political and election advertising in the European Union, combined with the operation of algorithmic content ranking systems, affect the visibility and dissemination of political views.

In a press release, the attorney explains that these practices result in a substantial restriction on the ability to engage in political communication via Facebook and Instagram, which are currently key channels for public dialogue.

The plaintiff, who is active in the public and political spheres and intends to participate in future elections, argues that the reduced organic reach of his content, combined with the lack of transparency in the algorithmic mechanisms, substantially impairs his ability to communicate political messages to the public.

Attorney Petros Papadopoulos

He asserts that the lawsuit aims to examine the cumulative effect of the ban on political advertisements and the operation of algorithmic mechanisms on broader political expression. According to the lawsuit, the combination of these factors leads to a substantial restriction of the available tools for political communication, affecting not only professional or organized political entities, but also independent politically active individuals.

Particular emphasis is placed on the fact that the defendant company’s platforms have evolved into a fundamental infrastructure for public dialogue, where a large part of political discussion, information, and social interaction takes place. In this light, questions arise regarding the institutional dimension of the influence of large technology companies on the democratic process.

The attorney notes that the case brings to the forefront critical issues concerning freedom of expression, the accountability of digital platforms, and their role as de facto infrastructure for political communication in modern democracy.

The proceedings are in their initial stage before the Limassol District Court; specifically, the service of Mr. Papadopoulos’s Statement of Claim to the defendant company Meta Platforms Ireland Limited. The press release emphasizes that this may prove difficult due to the cross-border nature of the case.