Rumble joins X in filing antitrust lawsuits over advertising revenue

Rumble (RUM) has joined the social media platform X to file antitrust lawsuits alleging a conspiracy to withhold advertising revenue from Rumble and other digital media platforms. In its filing in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Rumble named as defendants the World Federation of Advertisers, as well as the advertising agency WPP (WPP) and its subsidiary GroupM Worldwide. The conspiracy centers around an initiative called the Global Alliance for Responsible Media, created by the WFA, that established arbitrary standards for the content on digital platforms where its members may want to advertise. GARM used those one-size-fits-all standards to perpetrate an advertiser boycott against Rumble and other platforms. The suit also notes that GARM has vast reach since it counts the six largest ad agency holding companies among its members, including defendant WPP. Rumble is seeking a declaration that the defendants’ conduct is illegal, a permanent injunction against the continued conduct, damages, interest, and legal fees, among other relief.