Meta fined €390 million for illegally forcing ads on Facebook, Instagram users
The European Union data watchdog has slammed Meta, parent company to Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp, with a €390 million fine for illegally forcing users to accept personalised ads.
Meta was accused of breaching the data privacy of its users, coercing them to accept its terms of use which requires accessing their online activity before gaining access to the social networks.
Users who do not agree to these terms were automatically denied access to their social media accounts.
The EU data protection board claims that Meta forced users to accept the adverts by including its legal consent in the terms of agreement, in gross violation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Meta was fined €210 million for breaching users’ data privacy on Facebook and €180 million for users on Instagram, totalling €390 million.
This is the latest addition to four other fines the company has gotten since 2021, which was prompted by official complaints from users since 2018 when the GDPR became effective.
Meta said they were disappointed and would appeal the fine in a statement on Wednesday.
“We strongly believe our approach respects GDPR, and we’re therefore disappointed by these decisions and intend to appeal both the substance of the rulings and the fines.”
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
NationWide
Tinubu clearing PDP’s mess; security has improved in Nigeria, naira is best-performing currency globally: Presidency
“The results are already showing. Contrary to the pessimism and wishes of some PDP leaders, the national currency has become the world’s best-performing,” said the government.
Politics
Police arrest eight for attempting to disrupt inauguration of Kano commissioners
“Enough of clusters of ‘Yan Jagaliya’ loitering around Government House, Audu Bako Secretariat and similar offices trying to disrupt governance,” said the police chief.
Showbiz
Enugu government, families to give Mr Ibu, Jnr Pope ‘befitting’ burial
The commissioner for information and communication, Aka Eze Aka, disclosed this in an interview on Friday in Enugu.
Politics
Zamfara governor appoints new Community Protection Guards commandant
The former commandant’s suspension may be related to his recent radio interview, in which he accused the state government of not paying CPG staff salaries.
Uncategorized
Police foil attack in Katsina, kill suspected bandit
The police spokesman, Abubakar Aliyu, told journalists in Katsina about the attack on Thursday.
Lagos
Lagos underaged children locked up, subjected to inhuman treatment rescued; grandmother arrested
“The Three children are looking malnourished and unhealthy. The suspect was arrested,” the police said.
