Meta Apps For Termination Of Fines For User Privacy Violations In Norway

Meta Platforms has been fined 1 million krona (IDR 1.4 billion) per day in Norway. (photo: dock. pexels)

JAKARTA - Meta Platforms Inc., on Tuesday 22 August submitted a request to a court in Norway to stop fines imposed by the country's data regulator on Facebook and Instagram owners due to a violation of user privacy, in a case that could have a wider impact on Europe.

Since August 14, Meta Platforms has been fined 1 million rupiah (Rp1.4 billion) per day for collecting user data and using them for customized advertising purposes, called behavioral advertisements. This is a common practice among Giant Technology (Big Tech).

The company requested temporary conjunction with the order, which imposed daily fines until November 3.

"Meta has committed to seeking permission (from users)," Christian Reusch, a lawyer representing the company, told the court on Tuesday.

Norwegian data regulatory authority, Datatilsynet, notified Meta on July 14 of its intention to fine the company unless Meta takes corrective action. The regulator proceeds by fined it on August 7th.

On August 1, Meta announced that it had agreed to seek permission from users in Europe before allowing behavior ads, referring to a January decision from its main regulator in Ireland, where the company is headquartered.

Reusch also told the court that Datatilsynet used an "accelerated" process that was not necessary and did not give the company enough time to answer. DAtatilsynet will present its arguments on Wednesday, August 23.

The regulator previously said that it was unclear when and how Meta would seek permission from users and that, in those situations, user rights were being violated.

"Datatilsynet will argue that there is no basis for the conjunction," Tobias Judin, head of the regulator's international section, told Reuters.

Datatilsynet could make the fine permanent by referring its decision to the European Data Protection Council, which has the authority to do so, if they agree with the Norwegian regulator's decision.

It can also expand the scope of the decision across Europe. However, Datatilsynet has not taken this step. The examination at the Oslo district court will last for two days.