The Oslo County Court has upheld a decision by Norwegian authorities to fine Meta, the US-based owner of social media sites Facebook and Instagram, on a daily basis until Meta stops using personal data to direct ads at its users. The so-called “behavioural marketing” is illegal, according to the authorities, because it involves allegedly invasive surveillance and violates users’ privacy.
“We are very pleased with the court’s ruling and the result,” said Line Coll, head of Norway’s Data Protection Authority. “This is a big victory for people’s data protection rights.”
The fines of NOK 1 million (nearly USD 100,000) per day were imposed from August 14 and can run for up to three months. The Oslo court also ordered Meta to pay court costs of NOK 235,200, reports news bureau NTB.
Meta had tried to halt the fines pending resolution of another court case over the legality of its marketing. The Oslo court, however, ruled that the Norwegian authorities’ decision to fine Meta was valid and that there were no grounds for an injunction against the daily fines.
Meta, responding to Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) through an anonymous spokesperson, claimed it was “disappointed” by the Oslo court’s ruling and “will now evaluate what we will do.” Meta has also filed administrative complaints regarding the actions by the Norwegian authorities, who in turn are “considering bringing the matter to the European Data Protection Board.”
NewsinEnglish.no staff
