Norway's data protection regulator has announced that it will fine Meta if it does not stop behavioral advertising on Facebook and Instagram.
According to a press release from Norway’s data protection regulator, Meta is violating the privacy of Instagram and Facebook by tracking their activities. If the company does not take corrective action (stop behavioral advertising), it will be fined one million kroner ($100,000) per day from August 4 to November 3. The head (Tobias Judin) of Norway’s privacy commission, Datatilsynet, said that this practice is so illegal that it must be addressed immediately.
The Norwegian Data Protection Authority has required technology company Meta, which is the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, not to show personalized ads to users in Norway based on their online activity and estimated locations.
See also: Meta blocks EU-based users from accessing Threads via VPN
According to Datatilsynet, Meta uses an advertising practice on Facebook and Instagram that involves processing very personal and sensitive information through tracking and profiling functions.
The move comes shortly after a European court ruled that Meta cannot collect data such as location, behavior, etc. for advertising purposes. Datatilsynet has referred its actions to the European Data Protection Board, which could expand the fine to the entire Europe. The aim is to put “additional pressure” on Meta, according to Tobias Judin. (Norway is a member of the European single market, although it is not technically an EU member).
See also: Twitter threatens Meta with lawsuit over Threads
Meta reportedly told Reuters that it is reviewing the Datatilsynet decision and that the ruling will not directly affect services . “We continue to engage constructively with the Irish DPC, our lead regulator in the EU, on our compliance with its decision,” it said. “The discussion around the legal bases has been ongoing for some time and businesses continue to face a lack of regulatory certainty in this area.”
It is worth noting that Meta is facing pressure across Europe over its user privacy. A few days ago, Ireland’s data protection regulator (DPC) banned Meta from collecting user data for advertising. Additionally, in May, it was fined €1.2 billion for transferring EU user data to its servers in the US.
See also: Meta's Threads won't be released in Europe yet
Still a problem with Threads
Things in Europe seem to be more strict when it comes to privacy and data protection. So Meta’s new Twitter, Threads, has not yet been made available in the European Union due to privacy concerns. When Threads debuted, Meta said it “had not yet prepared the service for a European launch outside of the UK, which is not fully governed by GDPR or EU privacy rules.”
Source: www.engadget.com
