Just before the 5th anniversary of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Meta Inc., the parent company of Facebook, faced the biggest GDPR fines ever imposed by the European Union.
The social media company faces a €1.2 billion fine for violating EU data privacy regulations. Moreover, this unprecedented decision underscores the EU's unwavering commitment to data protection standards and marks a significant milestone in enforcing GDPR fines.
Meta, owner of Facebook, must cease sending personal data from European customers to the US. This decision is a pivotal turning point in safeguarding the security and privacy of European citizens in the digital age.
The decision in this case solely applies to Facebook, not to Meta, Instagram, or WhatsApp. The company will contest the Irish government's decision and ensure no negative impacts on Facebook services in Europe.
Irish authorities sue Meta over data transfers from Europe to the U.S. Consequently, this lawsuit highlights Irish regulators' concerns regarding Meta's questionable handling of European user data.
Andrea Jelinek, EDPB Chair, said: “The EDPB found that Meta IE’s infringement is very serious since it concerns transfers that are systematic, repetitive and continuous. Facebook has millions of users in Europe, so the volume of personal data transferred is massive. The unprecedented fine is a strong signal to organisations that serious infringements have far-reaching consequences.”
The Irish Data Protection Commission imposed a record-breaking fine. Amazon received one of the biggest GDPR fines, amounting to €746 million on July 16, 2021.
Meta has repeatedly incurred significant fines, totaling hundreds of millions of euros, for violating the GDPR.
Even though numerous other companies employ identical procedures, the tech giant perceives itself as being at the forefront of the transatlantic data management dispute.
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Last updated: May 22, 2023
