Rome, Nov 15 (V7N)- Italy has fined social media giant Meta €805 million for allegedly using Android users' personal photos and videos without obtaining sufficiently informed consent.
The country's Data Protection Authority (DPA) said a feature in the Facebook app allowed Meta to access photos and videos stored in users' phone galleries. However, nearly 20 million smartphone users were not adequately informed about how their content would be used.
According to the regulator, the feature generated suggestions for new Facebook posts using photos and videos from users' phone galleries. To activate it, users had to grant permission to the app. However, the permission request did not clearly explain that Facebook could analyse gallery content to generate post suggestions.
The DPA alleged that Meta had failed to provide adequate information about how users' personal data was being processed, leaving them unaware of how their photos and videos could be used.
Italian authorities have given Meta 60 days to address the issue. During this period, the feature will be disabled by default, and users will have to provide separate consent to activate it.
The regulator said the large number of affected users and Meta's lack of cooperation were considered when determining the amount of the fine. It added that the issue remains relevant both for users who have not updated the app and those who have already consented to the feature.
Meanwhile, Meta faced another major legal challenge last month over its business operations in the United States. A court in New Mexico ordered the company to pay a $25 billion fine, reportedly finding that it had misled the public over Facebook's handling of user data.
Meta owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp and continues to face regulatory scrutiny in several countries over the protection of personal information and the use of data without users' consent.
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