Meta fined Rs 82 lakh per day by Norwegian authorities for privacy violations

Facebook's parent company, Meta, will pay penalties for privacy breaches. Norway's data protection authority, Datatilsynet, has announced that Meta Platforms will face daily fines of $100,000 (approximately Rs 82 lakh) unless it takes necessary actions to address privacy breaches.

Starting from 4 August until 3 November 2023, Datatilsynet intends to impose the fine on a daily basis if Meta fails to act. The regulator specifically highlighted Meta's alleged practise of collecting user data in Norway, including their physical locations, for the purpose of behavioural advertising (a marketing strategy in which certain audiences receive targeted ads based on their online surfing habits). This type of targeted advertising is commonly employed by major technology companies.

Security for Norway

Tobias Judin, the head of the international department at the Norwegian Data Protection Authority, clarified that the decision regarding fines does not involve a ban on Facebook or Instagram in Norway. The objective is to ensure the secure use of these services by individuals in Norway and protect their rights.

In response to Datatilsynet's decision, Meta stated that it will assess the ruling and mentioned that there are no immediate consequences for its services.

Meta has acknowledged the ongoing debate and lack of regulatory certainty regarding legal bases, emphasising the need for clarity in this area. The company stated that it is actively engaging with the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC), its lead regulator in the European Union (EU), to ensure compliance with its decision.

While Norway is not an EU member, it is part of the European Economic Area (EEA). Datatilsynet's announcement refers to a December decision by the Irish DPC, which instructed Meta to align its behavioural advertising practises with European law by April. The regulator also mentioned a recent ruling from the EU's highest court, which highlighted that Meta's practises still did not meet legal requirements.

Meta's Threads app not introduced in EU

Judin told The Associated Press via email that, despite recent legal developments, Meta is continuing its operations. Datatilsynet considers Meta's inactivity to be an urgent problem that necessitates intervention. If Meta fails to comply, there is a possibility that a ban on behavioural advertising could extend beyond Norway. Datatilsynet has indicated that it may escalate the matter to the European Data Protection Board, leading to wider implications across the continent.

Earlier this year, Meta was under constant investigation for its handling of user data, and the EU even fined the company USD 1.3 billion in May. Additionally, they were told to stop sending consumers' private data across the Atlantic by October. Additionally, Meta's text-based app, Threads, has not been introduced in the EU due to privacy concerns.