EU Fines Meta $416m

Uploaded on 2023-01-06 in TECHNOLOGY-Key Areas-Social Media, FREE TO VIEW, BUSINESS-Services-Law

On January 4th the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC)  announced the conclusion of two inquiries into the data processing operations of Meta Platforms Ireland Limited (“Meta Ireland”) in connection with the delivery of its Facebook and Instagram services,” and Meta has been fined €390m ($416 or £346m) for breaking EU data rules.

The DPC announced in Dublin that the way Meta used peoples' data for ads on Facebook and Instagram, which it owns, was unlawful. 

The regulator said that Facebook and Instagram can not employ "force consent" by telling users that they have to accept how their data is used or leave the platform. Right now, Meta has three months to change how it receives and uses data to target ads and Meta says it will appeal, stressing that the decision does not prevent personalised advertising on its platforms. Facebook collected advertising revenue of $118bn (£97.8bn) in 202.

Privacy campaigners say the decision is a major victory and means Meta will have to give users real choice over how their data is used to target online advertisements. 

This recent DPC investigation was started by complaints made in 2018 by privacy campaigner Max Schrems, on behalf of two users in Austria and Belgium. The complaint was brought just as the EU's new data and privacy law, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), came into operation.

Meta's spokespeople say that it plans to challenge the size of the fines imposed, "given that regulators themselves disagreed with each other on this issue". The company argues that far from forcing people to accept how it uses data, it gives consumers a number of tools to control how their data is used. 

In September 2021, Meta was forced to pay out $420 million for how it handled teens’ Instagram data, in March the fine was $17 million for record-keeping problems while in October 2021, Meta was fined around $233 million for various violations.

The latest DPC ruling could damage Meta’s EU profits, because, according to Austrian lawyer Max Schrems who sued Meta in 2018, people now must consent for their data to be used for ads and can also withdraw their consent at any time.

DPC:      BBC:      Gizmodo:     Forbes:      Press United:       Focus Washington:

You Might Also Read: 

The Effects Of GDPR On EU / US Relations:

If you like this website and use the comprehensive 6,500-plus service supplier Directory, you can get unrestricted access, including the exclusive in-depth Directors Report series, by signing up for a Premium Subscription.

  • Individual £5 per month or £50 per year. Sign Up
  • Multi-User, Corporate & Library Accounts Available on Request

Cyber Security Intelligence: Captured Organised & Accessible

« Multi-Factor Authentication Is No Shortcut To Cyber Resilience
PAM, IAM, Or Both? »

Infosecurity Europe
CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81
Cyrin

Real Attacks. Real Tools. Real Scenarios.
Schedule a demo

Sign Up: Cyber Security Intelligence Newsletter

Directory of Suppliers

LockLizard

LockLizard

Locklizard provides PDF DRM software that protects PDF documents from unauthorized access and misuse. Share and sell documents securely - prevent document leakage, sharing and piracy.

ZenGRC

ZenGRC

ZenGRC (formerly Reciprocity) is a leader in the GRC SaaS landscape, offering robust and intuitive products designed to make compliance straightforward and efficient.

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO is the market leader in HPE Non-Stop Security, Risk Management and Compliance.

Authentic8

Authentic8

Authentic8 transforms how organizations secure and control the use of the web with Silo, its patented cloud browser.

ManageEngine

ManageEngine

As the IT management division of Zoho Corporation, ManageEngine prioritizes flexible solutions that work for all businesses, regardless of size or budget.

Information Security Group (ISG) - Royal Holloway

Information Security Group (ISG) - Royal Holloway

The Information Security Group, Royal Holloway, University of London, is an Academic Centres of Excellence in Cyber Security Research.

TraceSecurity

TraceSecurity

TraceSecurity, a leading pioneer in cloud-based security solutions, provides IT governance, risk and compliance (GRC) management solutions.

Wireless Logic

Wireless Logic

Wireless Logic delivers a range of secure and resilient value-added M2M/IoT managed services that empower remote devices to communicate cost-effectively, two ways.

Hypori

Hypori

Hypori is a virtual smartphone solution that makes truly secure BYOD a reality for organizations in healthcare, finance, government, and beyond.

Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC)

Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC)

Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) is a government body providing support for ICT related activities including formulating national ICT strategy and policy.

Aporeto

Aporeto

The Aporeto platform protects cloud applications from attack by authenticating and authorizing all communications with a cryptographically signed identity assigned to every workload.

Miradore

Miradore

Miradore is a software company specializing in effective, cloud-based device management. Our goal is to help IT Service Providers and IT departments secure and control devices.

Celerium

Celerium

Celerium transforms cyber defense for both companies and industry sectors by leveraging cyber threat intelligence to defend against cyber threats and attacks.

MyCyberSecurity Clinic (MyCSC)

MyCyberSecurity Clinic (MyCSC)

MyCyberSecurity Clinic's main goal is toward establishing an international reference centre for excellence in the field of digital forensics and data recovery services.

CISO Global

CISO Global

CISO Global (formerly Cerberus Sentinel) are on a mission to demystify and accelerate our clients’ journey to cyber resilience, empowering organizations to securely grow, operate, and innovate.

Communicate Technology

Communicate Technology

Communicate Technology are IT, telecoms and cyber-security specialists, keeping over 500 businesses and 50,000 users connected and secure across the UK.

blueAllianceIT

blueAllianceIT

blueAlliance IT is an investment and growth platform that unites local MSP and IT companies around the nation, helping them to grow and operate competitively.

Patriot Consulting Technology Group

Patriot Consulting Technology Group

Patriot Consulting's mission is to help our clients manage cybersecurity risk through secure deployments of Microsoft 365.

Rescana

Rescana

Rescana offers a cyber risk management platform with the vision to remove the security team bottlenecks, accelerating business processes that require risk assessment.

ProjectDiscovery

ProjectDiscovery

ProjectDiscovery is an open-source, cybersecurity company that builds a range of software for security engineers and developers.

Foresights

Foresights

Foresights is a Nordic company utilizing advanced intelligence tradecraft and extensive cyber security capabilities to deliver services and advisory tailored to our client’s critical requirements.