Facebook Fined by Norway for Privacy Breaches
Updated: Jan 8, 2024
[Edited] Meta Platforms, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, has requested a court in Norway to halt a privacy fine imposed by the country's data regulator.
The fine, which amounts to 1 million crowns ($94,313) per day, was imposed for Meta's alleged breach of user privacy through the harvesting of user data for targeted advertising, known as behavioral advertising. The case could have broader implications for European data privacy regulations.
Meta Platforms is seeking a temporary injunction against the fine, which is set to be imposed until November 3. Christian Reusch, a lawyer representing the company, informed the court that Meta has already committed to obtaining user consent.
The Norwegian data regulator, Datatilsynet, had notified Meta on July 14 of its intention to impose the fine unless remedial action was taken. The regulator proceeded with the fine on August 7.
In response, Meta announced on August 1 that it would seek consent from users in Europe before engaging in behavioral advertising, citing a decision from its lead regulator in Ireland. However, Reusch argued in court that Datatilsynet used an expedited process that did not provide sufficient time for the company to respond.
Datatilsynet will present its arguments on Wednesday, and the regulator's head of the international section, Tobias Judin, stated that they will argue against the injunction. If the European Data Protection Board agrees with Datatilsynet's decision, it could make the fine permanent and extend its territorial scope to the rest of Europe. However, Datatilsynet has not yet taken this step.
The hearing at the Oslo district court is expected to last for two days.
($1 = 10.6029 Norwegian crowns)
Meta Platforms has requested a court in Norway to halt a privacy fine imposed by the country's data regulator.
The fine, amounting to 1 million crowns per day, was imposed for Meta's alleged breach of user privacy through behavioral advertising.
Meta has committed to seeking user consent for behavioral advertising in Europe.
Source: REUTERS