Meta was penalised €390 million (£346 million) for violating EU data laws.
According to the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC), Meta’s request for authorisation to utilise users’ data for Facebook and Instagram advertisements was illegal.
Both platforms’ owners, Meta, have three months to alter the way they collect and utilise data for ad targeting.
The ruling does not ban individualised advertising on Meta’s platforms, which it emphasises, but nonetheless, the company is “disappointed” and plans to appeal.
According to the authority, Facebook and Instagram are not permitted to “force consent” on users by requiring them to approve how their data is used or leave the platform.
Due to the fact that Facebook and Instagram’s European headquarters are in Ireland, the DPC is in charge of verifying that they abide by EU data law.
The judgement, according to privacy advocates, is a significant victory and mandates that Meta provide users genuine control over how their data is used to target online adverts.
It implies that Meta might need to alter how a crucial aspect of its operations.
Over $118 billion (£97.8 billion) of the company’s revenue in 2021 will come from advertising.
The fine represents the watchdog’s second hefty sanction in recent months.
The DPC penalised it €265 million (£228 million) in November for a data breach that resulted in the online publication of the personal information of hundreds of millions of Facebook users.
The Irish Times reports that Meta laid aside €2 billion (£1.7 billion) for potential 2023 European fines.
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