JAKARTA In the midst of the era of openness of digital and internet technology, many countries have tightened privacy protection for their citizens. Violations of personal data and other privacy can bring punishment to internet companies.
The South Korean government imposed a tens of millions of dollars fine on Alphabet's Google Meta Platform Inc., for privacy law violations. This was announced by the country's authorities on Wednesday, September 13.
In a statement, South Korea's Personal Information Protection Commission said it had fined Google 69.2 billion won (Rp 745 billion) and Meta 30.8 billion won (Rp 328 billion).
The privacy panel said the two companies were not clear in informing service users of earlier approval when collecting and analyzing behavioral information to conclude their interests or use them for customized advertising.
"We do not agree with the findings of the PIPC, and will review the full written decision after it was shared with us," a Google spokesperson said.
"We have always shown our commitment to making sustainable updates that provide users with control and transparency, while providing the most useful products. We remain committed to engaging with the PIPC to protect the privacy of South Korean users," added a Google spokesman.
A Meta spokesperson gave their reasons for their objection to the fine. "While we respect the commission's decision, we believe that we are working with our clients in a legally applicable manner that fulfills the process required by local regulations. Therefore, we do not agree with the commission's decision, and will be open to all options including seeking a decision from the court," said the Meta spokesman.
On Wednesday, Google also experienced a second setback in Europe in less than a year as the EU high court agreed with EU antitrust regulators that it had abused its dominance. Google lost its challenge with a fine of 2.42 billion euros (Rp 36 trillion) last year, from three cases, although the European Union Court cut it slightly.
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