The Norwegian data regulator has informed a court that Meta Platforms is violating European data privacy laws, a ruling that may carry broader implications across Europe.
Since August 14, Meta has faced daily fines of one million crowns, equivalent to approximately Rs. 8 crore, due to accusations of infringing on user privacy by collecting personal data for targeted advertising.
This practice, known as behavioral advertising, is a prevalent model among major technology companies.
The parent company of Facebook and Instagram is pursuing a temporary injunction against this daily penalty, which is set to remain in place for three months.
According to Hanne Inger Bjurstroem Jahren, the lawyer for the regulator Datatilsynet, the fines are justified as Meta is not adhering to the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
“There is no debate about whether the company is violating these regulations… Meta is currently in breach of GDPR,” she asserted in court during the concluding session of a two-day hearing.
In its defense, Meta argued that it is already in the process of seeking user consent and claimed that Datatilsynet employed an “expedited process” that did not provide adequate time for the company to respond.
The regulator responded by stating there is uncertainty regarding when and how Meta plans to obtain this consent, emphasizing that user rights are being compromised in the meantime.
Datatilsynet has the option to make the fines permanent by taking its decision to the European Data Protection Board, which has the authority to approve the Norwegian regulator’s ruling.
If this occurs, it could extend the implications of the decision across Europe. However, Datatilsynet has not yet made this move.
While Norway is not a member of the European Union, it does participate in the European single market.
© Thomson Reuters 2023
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