Meta faces allegations of breaching privacy rules, calls for EU sanctions

In the latest development in the ongoing dispute between Meta and European consumer groups, the latter are now calling on the European Union (EU) to sanction the tech giant for alleged breaches of privacy rules. The controversy centers around Meta's ownership of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp and allegations that the company fails to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Consumer groups argue that Meta collects excessive data, employs hidden clauses, and fails to provide sufficient transparency in its data usage. EU regulations stipulate that Meta must have explicit consent, a legal obligation, or a contractual necessity to collect and use personal data.

The European Consumer Organization (ECOE) is particularly critical of Meta's business model, which involves data collection and processing, claiming that it is inconsistent with the fundamental principles of GDPR. This poses a significant threat to individual privacy rights and is in stark contrast to the increasing demand for privacy and data protection.

Furthermore, criticism has also been directed at Meta's recent launch of paid, ad-free subscriptions in Europe. Consumer groups argue that Meta is charging users for basic privacy settings while continuing to collect extensive data. Meta, on the other hand, defends this move as a legal and compliant response to evolving regulations regarding user consent and data processing.

Meta's challenges in Europe continue to mount, as the company was fined $1.3 billion by the EU in 2023 for transferring user data to the US, marking the largest fine since the adoption of GDPR. As privacy laws and regulations evolve, Meta will need to address these issues to regain trust and compliance with regional regulations.

Abdulvehab Ejupi, a journalist at TRT International, recently reported on this developing situation. Below are the answers to the interview questions condensed for readability:

Question: What specific GDPR rules do the consumer groups claim Meta is not complying with?

Answer: Consumer groups allege that Meta violates several GDPR principles, including fair processing (Article 5(1)(a)) and purpose limitation (Article 5(1)(b)). These regulations impose the obligation that personal data be processed lawfully, fairly, and transparently, with a clear scope authorized by users.

They also argue that Meta collects more data than necessary for its stated purposes and includes misleading explanations about data usage, violating the data minimization principle (Article 5(1)(c))

Question: How does the European Consumer Organisation view Meta's data processing practices in relation to surveillance-based business models?

Answer: The European Consumer Organization critically opposes Meta's business model, arguing that data collection and processing are inconsistent with the core rules of GDPR. They believe that Meta's approach represents a serious threat to individual privacy rights. This position is based on the belief that privacy is a fundamental requirement for individual autonomy and that trust is crucial for technological innovation and sustainable economic growth.

Question: What has been the criticism regarding Meta's recent launch of paid, ad-free subscriptions in Europe, and how does Meta defend this move?

Answer: Critics argue that Meta is charging users for basic privacy settings while continuing to collect extensive data. Meta defends this move as a legal and compliant response to evolving regulations regarding user consent and data processing. Meta believes that its subscription model provides a valuable service for users who want an ad-free experience and that these subscriptions bring additional benefits, such as exclusive features and controls over data usage.