Meta was assessed a €1.2 billion fine by the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) for violating European databases. The fine, which is the biggest the DPC has ever issued, is a serious setback for Meta.
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| Meta Fined €1.2 Billion for Violating European Databases |
By failing to sufficiently protect its users' personal data, Meta was judged to have violated the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The DPC specifically discovered that before collecting and exploiting consumers' data, Meta had not gotten their permission.
Meta has declared that it will contest the penalty. The penalty serves as a reminder of the necessity of GDPR compliance and the dangers that businesses run if they do not.
What is the GDPR?
A law in the European Union called the GDPR lays forth guidelines for the gathering, processing, and storage of personal data. No matter where the organisation is based, it must comply with the GDPR if it processes the personal data of EU individuals.
According to the GDPR, people have a number of rights, including the ability to see their personal data, have it deleted, and object to its processing.
What did Meta do wrong?
The DPC concluded that Meta had violated the GDPR by failing to sufficiently protect its users' personal data. The DPC specifically discovered that before collecting and exploiting consumers' data, Meta had not gotten their permission.
Names, email addresses, phone numbers, and location information are among the many pieces of information that Meta gathers about its users. This information is used by Meta to better target consumers for advertising and enhance its goods and services.
The DPC discovered that Meta had not gotten the required user consent before collecting and processing the users' data. The DPC also discovered that Meta had under-informed users about how their data was being gathered and used.
What is the impact of the fine?
The €1.2 billion fine, which is the highest the DPC has ever issued, is a serious setback for Meta. The penalty serves as a reminder of the necessity of GDPR compliance and the dangers that businesses run if they do not.
The fine might also affect the tech sector more broadly. Because the GDPR is a complicated rule, it may be challenging for businesses to adhere to all of its requirements. The penalty imposed on Meta may prompt other businesses to exercise greater caution when gathering and using personal data.
What can companies do to avoid fines?
Companies who abide by the GDPR can avoid paying fines. This means that prior to collecting and using users' data, the relevant consent must be obtained from them. Users should receive adequate information from businesses about how their data is gathered and handled.
By putting in place the necessary organisational and technical safeguards to protect personal data, businesses can also avoid penalties. Access controls, pseudonymization, and encryption are a few examples of these safeguards.
Although the GDPR is a complicated legislation, it is crucial that businesses follow it. Companies may safeguard the personal information of their users and stay out of trouble by adhering to the GDPR.