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Meta announced the service for Facebook and Instagram last month. The ad-free service cost 9.99 euros ($10.90) monthly for Web users and 12.99 euros for iOS and Android users. Contrary to this law, Meta charges a 'privacy fee' of up to 250 euros per year if anyone dares to exercise their fundamental right to data protection," NOYB data protection lawyer Felix Mikolasch said in a statement. NOYB filed the complaint with the Austrian Data Protection Authority. The complaint will likely be forwarded to the Irish data protection watchdog which oversees Meta because it has its European headquarters in Ireland.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Meta, Max Schrems, Felix Mikolasch, NOYB, Foo Yun Chee, Matthew Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Meta, Facebook, EU, Austrian Data Protection, Netflix, YouTube, Google, Thomson Locations: Rights BRUSSELS, Europe, Austrian, Europe's, Vienna, Ireland, Brussels

☆ EU clamps down on Meta’s use of personal data for targeted ads
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Meta will soon be forced to seek European users’ consent before using their personal information to deliver those users targeted advertisements on Facebook and Instagram. A European Union-wide ban announced Wednesday dealing with Meta’s handling of user data proposes blanket restrictions which could be finalized as soon as late next week. The restrictions were announced by the European Data Protection Board (EDPB), a group of EU data regulators representing numerous countries in the bloc. Under EU rules known as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Meta must cite one of several specific legal justifications in order to collect and use people’s personal data for advertising. It directs the Irish Data Protection Commission, Meta’s primary privacy regulator in Europe, to issue a final rule on the matter by Nov. 10.

Persons: Meta, It’s, “ Meta, “, ”, Anu Organizations: CNN, Facebook, European Data Protection, EU, General Data Protection, Meta, Irish Data Protection Locations: Europe

☆ Meta considers paid subscription for users in EU to bypass targeted ads
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Instagram and Facebook users in the European Union may soon be able to opt out of targeted ads if they pay for a monthly subscription. Over the last year, the EU has tightened regulations and will require big tech companies to ask users for their consent around such advertising. Meta has previously argued that its data collection for advertising is needed for fulfilling the “contracts” between the platform and end users to provide service. Melina Mara/The Washington Post/Getty ImagesThe Wall Street Journal recently reported Meta aims to charge about $14 a month to users who want to bypass targeted ads on Instagram on their phones and $17 to access both Facebook and Instagram without ads, to comply with EU regulations. “Meta believes in the value of free services which are supported by personalized ads,” the company said in a statement.

Persons: CNN — Instagram, Melina Mara, Meta, ” Organizations: CNN, European Union, Meta, EU, Facebook, Data Protection, Irish Data Protection, Washington Post, Street Journal Locations: European, Europe, San Francisco , California

☆ TikTok fined $368 million in Europe for failing to protect children
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A major European tech regulator has ordered TikTok to pay a €345 million ($368 million) fine after ruling that the app failed to do enough to protect children. An investigation by the DPC found that in the latter half of 2020, TikTok’s default settings didn’t do enough to protect children’s accounts. TikTok introduced Family Pairing in April 2020, allowing adults to link their accounts with child accounts to manage screen time, restrict unwanted content and limit direct messaging to children. TikTok did not say Family Pairing would now be verifying an adult’s relationship to the child. In April, TikTok was also fined in the United Kingdom for a number of breaches of data protection law, including misusing children’s personal data.

Persons: TikTok, TikTok didn’t, ‘, “, ”, Elaine Fox, Fox Organizations: CNN, Irish Data Protection, European Union Locations: United Kingdom

☆ Europe and the U.S. finally agree a landmark data-sharing pact — and it's already under threat
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

CNBC runs through all you need to know about the new EU-U.S. privacy framework, why it matters, and its chances of success. What's the new EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework? Schrems said that revelations from NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden about U.S. surveillance meant that American data protection standards couldn't be trusted. Instead, individual U.S. states have come up with their own respective regulations for data privacy, with California leading the charge. The approval of a new data privacy framework means that businesses will now have certainty over how they can process data across borders going forward.

Persons: Pavlo Gonchar, Max Schrems, Schrems, Edward Snowden, Cambridge Analytica, Holger Lutz, Clifford Chance, Meta Organizations: Getty, European Union, CNBC, EU, U.S, European Commission, Protection, European Court of Justice, Facebook, Irish Data Protection, Data, Meta, Google, Cambridge, General Data Locations: America, EU, Europe, U.S, California, Austrian

☆ EU Commission revamps procedures to speed up Big Tech privacy probes
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Foo Yun Chee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BRUSSELS, July 4 (Reuters) - Stung by criticism of tardy privacy investigations and the Irish privacy regulator's outsized role in overseeing Big Tech, the European Commission on Tuesday announced new rules to help watchdogs work on cross-border cases at a faster clip. Critics say investigations take too long and fines are too low to deter privacy breaches by Big Tech companies, undermining the goal of landmark EU rules known as the General Data Protection Regulation which came into force in 2018. "The harmonisation of these procedural aspects will support the timely completion of investigations and the delivery of swift remedies for individuals," the Commission said. Privacy activist Max Schrems who has filed complaints against Meta Platforms (META.O) and Alphabet's (GOOGL.O) Google criticised the new procedures. "The Commission proposal seems to be technically and materially flawed and rather strips citizens of existing rights than ensuring their enforcement," he said.

Persons: Max Schrems, Foo Yun Chee, Susan Fenton Organizations: Big Tech, European Commission, General Data, Irish Data Protection, Meta, Google, Tech, Computer & Communications Industry Association, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, EU, Ireland

☆ Google's Bard chatbot has been blocked in the European Union over privacy concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Hugh Langley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

An EU regulator has blocked Google from launching Bard in the region. The company had planned to launch Bard in the European Union this week. Google has been forced to postpone the rollout of its Bard chatbot in the European Union over concerns raised by the EU's top data watchdog. The Irish Data Protection Commission is responsible for General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the EU. GDPR, a set of data protection rules, gives individuals more control over how their data is used and transferred by businesses within EU member states.

Persons: Bard, Bard chatbot, we've, Google's, Sam Altman, OpenAI, Altman Organizations: European Union, Google, Morning, Irish Data Protection Commission, Politico, Data Protection, Irish Data Protection, General Data Protection Locations: EU, European, Europe

☆ Microsoft flags over $400 mln charge for Irish privacy violation fine on LinkedIn
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 1 (Reuters) - Software major Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) said on Thursday it expected to take a charge of about $425 million in the current quarter for a potential fine from an Irish regulator over alleged privacy violations at its unit LinkedIn. The Irish Data Protection Commission (IDPC) launched an investigation into the professional networking platform in 2018 over whether its targeted advertising practices violated the European data protection law. The regulator's order is not public and Microsoft said that LinkedIn was informed about the preliminary decision in April. Microsoft added it would dispute the proposed fine after receiving a final order. Reporting by Yuvraj Malik in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi AichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: IDPC, Yuvraj Malik, Rashmi Organizations: Software, Microsoft Corp, Irish Data Protection, Microsoft, Thomson Locations: Irish, Bengaluru

☆ Top EU regulator defends mega $1.3 billion privacy fine on Meta: ‘I have to enforce the law’
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-24 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A top European Union data privacy regulator on Wednesday defended a decision to hit Meta with a record-setting 1.2 billion euro ($1.3 billion) fine, saying that she had to enforce the law based on existing regulations. Meta on Monday was fined a record 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion) by the Irish Data Protection Commission for breaching the EU's tough rules on data privacy, known as the General Data Protection Regulation. GDPR is a landmark data protection regulation that governs firms in the bloc. She added, "This new agreement, called the European Data Privacy Framework, it's still pending. The Monday Meta fine is the largest to date since the EU's GDPR came into force.

Persons: Helen Dixon, —, Dixon, CNBC's, Meta, it's, GDPR, Arjun Kharpal Organizations: Data, Ireland, Meta, Irish Data Protection, General Data, Amazon, U.S, EU, European Court of Justice Locations: EU, Luxembourg, Ireland, U.S

☆ Meta slapped with record $1.3 billion EU data privacy fine over transfer of Facebook data to US
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The European Data Protection Board announced the fine in a statement Monday, saying it followed an inquiry into Facebook (FB) by the Irish Data Protection Commission, the chief regulator overseeing Meta’s operations in Europe. The fine is the largest ever levied under Europe’s signature data privacy law, known as the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR. Meta has also been ordered to cease the processing of personal data of European users in the United States within six months. Meta’s infringement is “very serious since it concerns transfers that are systematic, repetitive and continuous,” said Andrea Jelinek, chair of the European Data Protection Board. EU and US policymakers were on a “clear path” to resolving this conflict under a new transatlantic Data Privacy Framework.

☆ Meta fined a record $1.3 billion over EU user data transfers to the U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Meta has been fined a record 1.2 billion euro ($1.3 billion) by European privacy regulators over the transfer of EU user data to the U.S. Several mechanisms to legally transfer personal data between the U.S. and the EU have been contested. The latest such iteration, Privacy Shield, was struck down by the European Court of Justice, the EU's top court, in 2020. Meta used a mechanism called standard contractual clauses to transfer personal data in and out of the EU. Ireland's Data Protection Commission also told Meta to "suspend any future transfer of personal data to the US within the period of five months" from the decision.

☆ Meta hit with a record-breaking $1.3 billion fine over data privacy breaches
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Meta has been fined $1.3 billion, the Irish Data Protection Commission announced Monday. It was previously warned about transferring Facebook users' data to the US. In a record for European Union privacy violations, Meta has been fined $1.3 billion over its handling of users' data, Ireland's Data Protection Commission announced Monday. Meta was previously warned by the EU for transferring Facebook users data to US servers, saying that it was not sufficiently protected from American spy agencies. Companies have been in limbo over data protection rules since 2020, when the EU banned a pact which regulated data transfers across the Atlantic.

☆ Meta becomes cross-border tech mascot
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Anita Ramaswamy | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

NEW YORK, May 22 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Meta Platforms (META.O) is acting as a Big Tech mascot in a cross-border decision about the transfer of data. The $1.3 billion fine is a drop in the bucket for Meta, which has over $40 billion in its cash coffers. The decision, handed down from the Irish Data Protection Commission, gives Meta until October to completely cease moving data from Europe to the United States. Rather, the tension between data and the cross-border watchdogs can become more troubling for U.S.-based Big Tech. The decision gives Meta five months to stop transferring users’ data to the United States.

☆ Stocks making the biggest premarket moves: Apple, Meta, Micron, PacWest and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Check out the companies making the biggest moves in premarket trading:Apple — Shares of the iPhone maker fell about 1% premarket after Loop Capital downgraded Apple's stock to hold from buy. Nike , Foot Locker — Shares of Nike and Foot Locker declined 1.5% and 2.4%, respectively, in premarket trading. Foot Locker missed on the top and bottom lines in its first fiscal quarter, and lowered its guidance. UBS upgraded shares to a buy from neutral rating, saying that expansion into new markets should fuel growth. Norfolk Southern , CSX — Shares of the railroads added 1.8% and 1.5%, respectively, in premarket trading.

REUTERS/Dado RuvicMay 17 (Reuters) - Meta Platforms Inc (META.O) is set to face a record European Union privacy fine related to data transfer of Facebook's EU users to U.S. servers for failing to comply with a warning by a top EU court, two sources familiar with the matter said. The penalty will be higher than the previous record 746 million euros ($821.20 million) fine for Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O), according to the sources. Meta declined to comment, while the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) and the European Commission did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. EU regulators led by Ireland's Data Protection Commissioner Helen Dixon have been finalising a ban on the legal tool used by Facebook to transfer European user data because of concerns U.S. intelligence agencies could access the information. Europe's highest court ruled in 2020 that an EU-U.S. data transfer agreement was invalid, citing surveillance concerns.

☆ Irish data regulator warns against rushing into chatbot bans
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"It needs to be regulated and it's about figuring out how to regulate it properly," Ireland's Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) Helen Dixon told a Bloomberg conference, saying the debate extended to thousands of ChatGPT equivalents. "For the Irish data protection commission, where we are at is trying to understand a little bit more about the technology, about the large language models, about where the training data is sourced." "So I think it's early days, but it's time to be having those conversations now rather than rushing into prohibitions that really aren't going to stand up." Dixon added that the issues around Generative AI span far beyond data protection and include copyright and defamation concerns. "We also want to contribute to broader discussions about the risks and about other areas of law that converge in AI," she said.

☆ Hackers post email addresses linked to 200 million Twitter accounts, security researchers say
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Email addresses linked to more than 200 million Twitter profiles are currently circulating on underground hacker forums, security experts say. The apparent data leak could expose the real-life identities of anonymous Twitter users and make it easier for criminals to hijack Twitter accounts, the experts warned, or even victims’ accounts on other websites. The trove of leaked records also includes Twitter users’ names, account handles, follower numbers and the dates the accounts were created, according to forum listings reviewed by security researchers and shared with CNN. Troy Hunt, a security researcher, said Thursday that his analysis of the data “found 211,524,284 unique email addresses” that had been leaked. The account data could also be valuable to hackers who can use the information as part of password-reset attempts and account takeovers.

☆ Meta plans to appeal $414 million fine amid row over consent for ad tracking
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Meta was fined $414 million by Ireland's Data Protection Commission on Wednesday. Max Schrems, who submitted the complaint, told Insider Meta will need to ask for users' consent. The company was hit with two fines on Wednesday – one for Facebook and one for Instagram – by Ireland's Data Protection Commission for violating the Europe's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) laws. This refers to one of the GDPR act's six legal bases for processing users' data. The European Commission and Irish Data Protection Commission did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Insider.

☆ Meta fined more than $400 million by Irish regulator over EU privacy breaches
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive officer of Meta Platforms Inc., left, arrives at federal court in San Jose, California, US, on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. Facebook parent company Meta on Wednesday was slapped with a pair of fines totaling more than $400 million as the Irish privacy regulator concluded the company's advertising and data handling practices were in breach of EU privacy laws. Combined, the penalties amount to 390 million euros ($414 million). The fines mark the conclusion of two lengthy investigations into Meta by the Irish regulator, which had been criticized over delays in the process. Meta was not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC Wednesday.

☆ EU court rejects WhatsApp challenge against EU Data Protection Board
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, Dec 7 (Reuters) - The Court of Justice of the European Union has dismissed as inadmissible an action brought by WhatsApp against a decision of the European Data Protection Board, it said in a statement on Wednesday. Following complaints about Whatsapp's (META.O) use of personal data in Ireland and a European Data Protection Board (EDPB) ruling on the issue, the Irish Data Protection commission in 2021 imposed corrective measures on Whatsapp and fines totalling 225 million euros. WhatsApp had challenged that decision before an Irish court and also requested that the European Court of Justice annul the EDPB's ruling, but the court ruled that Whatsapp's action was inadmissible. It added that the validity of the EDPB's decision could be challenged before a national court. Reporting by GV De Clercq, editing by Marine Strauss, Kirsten DonovanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

The Irish data protection agency, which oversees Meta because its European headquarters is located in Dublin, has been given a month to issue a ruling based on the European Data Protection Board's (EDPB) binding decision. The Irish case against Meta was triggered by a complaint by Austrian privacy activist Max Schrems in 2018. The 27-country bloc's landmark privacy rules known as the General Data Protection Regulation went into effect in 2018. We have one month to adopt the EDPB's binding decisions and will publish details then," the Irish Data Protection Commission said. Meta may have to change its business model, said Helena Brown, head of data & privacy at London-based law firm Addleshaw Goddard.

☆ Irish regulator fines Meta $275 million for violations of Europe’s data privacy law
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Washington CNN Business —Meta has been fined roughly $275 million by Ireland’s data privacy regulator for failing to prevent hackers from siphoning off personal information from more than 500 million Facebook users in a 2019 data leak. Since the fall of 2021, Ireland’s DPC has slapped Meta with 912 million euros in fines, going after the social media titan and its other subsidiaries, Instagram and WhatsApp, for alleged violations of Europe’s signature data privacy law, known as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Earlier this fall, Meta was hit with a 405 million euro fine over Instagram’s handling of children’s data, the second-largest GDPR fine in history. Other enforcement actions, in March 2022 and September 2021, led to fines of 17 million euros and 225 million euros, respectively. “Protecting the privacy and security of people’s data is fundamental to how our business works,” Meta said in Monday’s statement.

☆ Meta's privacy obligations may be added to German antitrust probe, court adviser says
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( Foo Yun Chee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

At issue is whether the German antitrust agency overstepped its authority by using its antitrust power to address data protection concerns, which are the remit of national data protection authorities. A German court subsequently sought guidance from the CJEU. "A competition authority may, in exercising its powers, take account of the compatibility of a commercial practice with the General Data Protection Regulation," he said in a non-binding opinion. He said antitrust watchdogs however need to consult with the lead privacy enforcers as well, which in Meta's case is the Irish data protection agency as its European headquarters is based there. In May, it was designated by the German authority as of "paramount importance for competition across markets" subject to tougher rules.

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