Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, has been fined for privacy violations in South Korea, with a 21.62 billion won ($15.67 million) penalty. This ruling underscores increasing concerns over how tech giants handle user data and follow privacy regulations.
Meta Fined for Privacy Violations in Data Collection
South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission found that Meta collected sensitive data from around 980,000 South Korean Facebook users without proper authorization. This data included personal beliefs, political opinions, and other sensitive information. The unauthorized collection led to data being shared with advertisers for targeted ads, prompting significant public concern.
How Meta’s Data Practices Led to Privacy Violations
According to the commission, Meta’s data practices involved analyzing user activity, such as page interactions and ad clicks, to create detailed profiles. This analysis categorized users into specific groups—often related to private details such as religion or political stance—without their consent. Such profiling forms a major part of the privacy violations leading to Meta’s fine.
Issues with Data Requests and Security
The commission also reported that Meta refused user requests for data access, another serious privacy violation. Additionally, Meta’s failure to prevent a data breach compromised the information of several South Korean users. The commission’s statement highlighted that these issues underscore the need for stronger data protection policies.
Fines for Privacy Violations Reflect Global Data Concerns
The fine against Meta aligns with a broader movement worldwide to enforce data privacy laws. Recently, Ireland’s Data Protection Commission imposed a €310 million fine on LinkedIn for privacy breaches, emphasizing the importance of consent and transparency.
Privacy Violations Drive Stricter Data Regulations Globally
This case highlights a global focus on data rights, where regulatory bodies are imposing higher fines on companies violating user privacy. As digital data grows, the consequences for privacy violations intensify, signaling a shift toward transparency and accountability.