Ireland's Privacy Regulator Is Investigating Instagram

Uploaded on 2020-10-28 in TECHNOLOGY-Key Areas-Social Media, FREE TO VIEW, BUSINESS-Services-Law

Facebook could face a huge privacy fine after the chief European Union (EU)  data watchdog, the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC), launched a review into how Instagram has exposed the contact details of millions of children. 

The DPC,which is the main data privacy regulator in the EU, has received complaints from individuals and has identified “potential concerns” in relation to the processing of children’s personal data on Instagram.  

The inquiry will also consider whether Facebook has the legal basis to process the data and whether it employs adequate protections and/or restrictions on Instagram.

The purpose of the inquiry is to consider whether Facebook meets its obligations as a data controller with regard to transparency requirements in its provision of Instagram to children.

Instagram’s profile and account settings will be the focus of  a second inquiry, examining whether the social media company is adhering to the regulator’s data protection requirements.

Ireland hosts the European headquarters of a number of US technology firms, making the DPC the EU’s lead regulator under the bloc’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)  regime introduced in 2018. The new rules give regulators the power to impose fines for violations of up to 4 per cent of a company’s global revenue or €20 million, whichever is higher.

All Instagram users can change their personal Instagram accounts to ones designed for businesses, which unlike personal profiles, gives them statistics such as how popular their photos and videos were. But, a business account also means that the user’s personal contact details are publicly displayed on their profile, allowing anybody to contact the children outside of the app.

Until recently, Instagram required all business accounts to show a phone number or email address, so users could not opt out of having their public information displayed. It still allows anybody to set up a business account, with no verification to check if they are actually running a business.

Data Protection Commission:     Irish Times:         Reuters:       Telegraph:       Benzinga: 

You Might Also Read:

Fact-Checking Comes To Instagram:

Tech Giants Have Facilitated An Online Slavery Market:

 

« Malware Versus Ransomware: What’s the Difference?
Cyber Professionals Fear Being Replaced By AI »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81
Cyrin

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

Go Cyber

Training that transforms behaviours

Sign Up: Cyber Security Intelligence Newsletter

Directory of Suppliers

BackupVault

BackupVault

BackupVault is a leading provider of automatic cloud backup and critical data protection against ransomware, insider attacks and hackers for businesses and organisations worldwide.

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.

FT Cyber Resilience Summit: Europe

FT Cyber Resilience Summit: Europe

27 November 2024 | In-Person & Digital | 22 Bishopsgate, London. Business leaders, Innovators & Experts address evolving cybersecurity risks.

Authentic8

Authentic8

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

The PC Support Group

The PC Support Group

A partnership with The PC Support Group delivers improved productivity, reduced costs and protects your business through exceptional IT, telecoms and cybersecurity services.

ZDL Group

ZDL Group

At ZDL (formerly ZeroDayLab) we take a comprehensive view of our clients cyber security risks and provide quality services to address those risk

Firebrand

Firebrand

Firebrand is the leader in Accelerated Learning in the field of IT and project management.

CERT NZ

CERT NZ

CERT NZ supports businesses, organisations and individuals affected by cyber security incidents, and provide trusted and authoritative information and advice.

VKANSEE

VKANSEE

VKANSEE offer the world's thinnest optical fingerprint sensor for mobile device protection.

LMG Security

LMG Security

LMG Security is a cybersecurity consulting, research and training firm.

Tines

Tines

The Tines security automation platform helps security teams automate manual tasks, making them more effective and efficient.

10dot Cloud Security

10dot Cloud Security

10dot Cloud Security is a security service management company. Our solutions give you contextualised visibility into your network security.

Softcat

Softcat

Softcat offer a broad portfolio of IT services and solutions covering Hybrid Infrastructure, Cyber Security, Digital Workspace and IT Intelligence.

Yoti

Yoti

Yoti offer a suite of business solutions that span identity verification, age estimation, e-signing and AI anti-spoofing technologies.

Innovex Global

Innovex Global

Innovex is a full-service executive search and advisory business that engages with early-stage startups, scale-ups, and established businesses in the Fintech, Cybersecurity and Technology industries.

National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) - Vietnam

National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) - Vietnam

National Cyber Security Center of Vietnam has a central monitoring function and is a technical focal point for monitoring and supporting information security for people, businesses and systems.

Softwerx

Softwerx

Softwerx is the UK’s leading Microsoft cloud security practice. We’ve been helping forward-thinking companies better secure their businesses for nearly twenty years.

Praxis Security Labs

Praxis Security Labs

Praxis Security Labs is a research driven cybersecurity company that helps our customers to reduce risk and improve security.

LockMagic

LockMagic

Lockmagic is an information asset management solution to protect, track, audit and control accesses to sensitive information inside and outside your organization.

Actelis Networks

Actelis Networks

Actelis Networks is a market leader in cyber-hardened, rapid deployment networking solutions for wide-area IoT applications.

Increase Your Skills (IYS)

Increase Your Skills (IYS)

Armed and ready: raise awareness of cyberattacks in your company with the Full-Service Awareness Platform from IYS – fast and effective. We help you develop a robust, sustainable security strategy.