The European Commission (EC) has accused US internet company Meta Platforms of breaching new rules that apply to large internet platforms in the European Union. The firm, which operates networks such as Facebook and Instagram, is forcing users to give up their private data in exchange for access to free services against the rules, the EU executive said today.
The risk is high
Meta responded by saying that the offer reflects the recommendations of the EU’s highest court and does not violate EU rules. If it does not comply with Brussels’ objections, it could face a very large fine, in the extreme case the equivalent of up to ten percent of its worldwide annual turnover. This amounted to almost $135 billion last year. The maximum fine would thus exceed $13 billion.
Since last autumn, the aforementioned networks have offered users in Europe a choice based on only two options – either they will have paid services or they will give Meta access to their data, which will allow it to finance the offered services from advertising revenues.
In conflict since March 2024
“We want to give citizens the opportunity to have control over their own data and to choose less personalised advertising,” Margrethe Vestager, the Commission’s Vice-President responsible for market rules, said today.
According to the Commission’s preliminary investigation, Meta Platforms is in breach of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), in force since March, by forcing users to choose between two options and not offering other alternatives. It also does not allow people to decide for themselves which data to give the firm access to, the commission said.
Source: Czech Press Office
