Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, will be fined 1 million Norwegian kroner (approximately 98,300 euros) per day starting August 14, following marketing practices deemed illegal by the Norwegian Data Protection Authority (Datatilsynet).
The Norwegian authority accused Meta of violating its ban on behavior-based marketing on Facebook and Instagram social networks due to intrusive user surveillance practices. The regulator demanded that Meta cease these illegal activities until a legal solution is found.
Despite the deadline set for August 4 to resolve the issue, Meta has not stopped its activity considered illegal. Datatilsynet has therefore decided to impose a daily fine of 1 million Norwegian kroner, applicable until November 3. The decision could become permanent if referred to the European Data Protection Board.
Meta responded by examining how to legally align with the requirements, but the Norwegian authority believes the ban was not respected. Meta also requested a temporary injunction against the ban, contested by Datatilsynet, emphasizing that the privacy rights of Norwegian users would be violated as long as Meta does not comply with the regulator’s decision.
The question of a temporary injunction could have broader European implications, as Norway, although not an EU member, is part of the European single market. The decision on the provisional injunction will likely be made in August.
