Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is facing yet another potential fine from the European Union (EU) as it continues to grapple with issues surrounding data protection. This marks the third time in 2023 that Meta has drawn the EU’s attention, this time for failing to ensure the protection of EU user data transferred to the US from inspection by authorities.
According to reports from The Register, Meta’s second fine of the year was imposed in January over breaches of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in its messaging app, WhatsApp. The Data Protection Commission (DPC) of Ireland, responsible for levying the fines against Meta, is yet to announce a decision. However, sources cited by Bloomberg anticipate that the forthcoming ruling may surpass the record GDPR fine of €746 million ($888 million) imposed on Amazon in 2021.
Both Meta and the DPC have refrained from providing detailed comments on the matter. The DPC confirmed that a fine is being issued but is awaiting Meta’s redaction of certain details before publicly releasing the ruling. Meta, on the other hand, expects the formal announcement of the ruling to take place on Monday, May 22nd, 2023.
Meta has developed a reputation for appealing the fines it has incurred, and it may have previously considered the financial impact as part of its revenue planning. However, the potential size of this impending fine could have more significant consequences for the company. As an established and influential tech giant, Meta’s actions and regulatory challenges have far-reaching implications.
The EU’s decision comes in the wake of the transatlantic Digital Privacy Framework, which replaced the previous Privacy Shield rules governing the protection of EU data in the US. Critics, including the EU Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, and the European Data Protection Board, argue that bulk data collection for US national security purposes remains a concerning issue.
As Meta awaits the outcome, the company must address ongoing concerns about data privacy and protection to regain the trust of regulators and users alike. The potential fine serves as a reminder that compliance with EU data protection laws is a critical aspect of Meta’s operations in the European market.
