Dotdash Meredith Wins Court Battle Over Meta Data Sharing

In a recent court decision, Dotdash Meredith Inc. – the company behind popular magazines like People and Entertainment Weekly – won a case that challenged its sharing of video‑viewing data with Meta Platforms Inc. The lawsuit, filed in Massachusetts, claimed that Dotdash Meredith violated the Video Privacy Protection Act by giving Meta access to user video data. Lead plaintiffs tried to prove that the company had enough ties to Massachusetts for the court to have jurisdiction, but the judge found otherwise. Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton ruled that Dotdash Meredith did not operate in the state and therefore could not be held accountable under local law.As a result, the judge dismissed the case and granted Dotdash Meredith’s motion to drop it. The decision highlights how important a company’s physical presence in a state can be when it comes to legal accountability. It also shows the challenges plaintiffs face when trying to bring privacy lawsuits against large tech firms. Critics argue that the ruling may limit victims’ ability to seek justice for data misuse. Supporters of Dotdash Meredith point out that the company complied with all federal privacy rules. The case is a reminder that legal battles over data can be as much about geography as they are about technology.