Meta has dismissed a decision by France’s Défenseur des Droits, which accused the company’s advertising algorithm of treating users differently according to gender.

The watchdog’s October 10th ruling argued that Facebook’s system indirectly discriminates against women and men by showing job advertisements in a way that reflects existing gender biases.

The firm rejected the finding on November 4th, saying its algorithms are built to ensure equal treatment and comply with European anti-discrimination rules.

Yet the dispute has rekindled broader concerns about how digital platforms shape opportunity and fairness.

As Europe tightens scrutiny of artificial intelligence, the case underscores how even automated systems can mirror society’s inequities while hiding behind technical complexity.