Facebook (Meta) is under investigation by European regulators over its use of personal data for targeted advertising, as complaints from users in Germany, Norway, and Spain prompt a review of its data practices. The complaints have been forwarded to the Irish Data Protection Authority (DPA), responsible for overseeing Meta’s operations in the EU.
The users, backed by the consumer group Ekō, allege that Meta continued processing their personal data for ads despite their objections, violating the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). GDPR gives users the right to opt out of their data being used for advertising.
Meta has already faced penalties for GDPR breaches, including a record €1.2 billion fine in 2023 for transferring personal data to the US. This new investigation comes as the company pushes back against growing regulatory scrutiny in Europe. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and global policy chief Joel Kaplan have argued that Europe’s tougher stance is pushing the continent to the sidelines in the global tech landscape.
If found guilty of GDPR violations, Meta could face heavy fines, up to 4% of its global turnover. As European regulators intensify their oversight, Meta’s handling of user privacy and advertising practices is under increasing scrutiny.