Norway’s data protection authorities announced that it would forbid Meta, the company that owns Facebook and Instagram, from using users’ personal information to target advertisements, with a $100,000 daily penalties if it did so.
Norway threatens Meta: European authorities are closely reviewing prominent US internet companies throughout Europe due to privacy concerns, and they have imposed significant fines in recent years.
According to the Norwegian watchdog, Datatilsynet, Meta collects information on users’ whereabouts, preferred content, and posts for marketing purposes.
The Norwegian Data Protection Authority issued a statement saying, “The Norwegian Data Protection Authority considers the Meta practise to be illegal and is therefore imposing a temporary ban of behavioural advertising on Facebook and Instagram.”
In order to provide Meta with an opportunity to rectify the situation, a three-month ban will be imposed starting on August 4. This temporary measure aims to incentivize Meta to take appropriate actions during the ban period.
Each day, the business will face a penalty of $100,000 in kroner if it fails to comply.
According to Matthew Pollard, a spokesman for Meta, the firm will examine the requirements and the announcement won’t immediately affect its operations, according to Norwegian public radio station NRK.