The Irish Data Protection Commission said social media giant Meta was on Wednesday slammed with $413 million fine for breaching European Union personal data laws on Facebook and Instagram.
In recent years, huge fines against Meta and other US Big Tech firms over their business practices in the EU has increased.
Ireland’s data regulator said Meta contravened “its obligations in relation to transparency” and used an incorrect legal basis “for its processing of personal data for the purpose of behavioural advertising”.
For violating Europe’s landmark General Data Protection Regulation, the regulator reached “final decisions” to fine Meta Ireland 210 million euros in relation to Facebook and 180 million euros in relation to Instagram.
The announcement came one month after Europe’s data watchdog, the European Data Protection Supervisor, imposed binding decisions over the treatment of personal data by the group.
One of those rulings concerns Meta’s instant messaging division WhatsApp, with Ireland’s DPC due to announce a separate verdict in the coming week.
California-based Meta, which is led by Mark Zuckerberg, expressed disappointment with Wednesday’s news and will appeal.
