The European Union fined Meta* by $ 5.9 million for violation of the rules of the General EU Regulation for Data Protection (GDPR). The penalty is associated with pop -up messages that were deliberately shown to WhatsApp users in the past few years. These hints called on people to accept new conditions for META*to continue using WhatsApp.
GDPR Regulation was supposed to enter into force in 2018, and Meta* took the opportunity to inform the users that they should first agree with the company’s rules if they want to use WhatsApp after the introduction of GDPR.
According to application Irish Commission for Data Protection. (DPC), where the headquarters of META*is located, WhatsApp Ireland has taken a position according to which “processing user data in connection with the provision of services was legal and necessary to fulfill this contract, which includes the provision of improved service and security functions”.
However, the applicant from Germany stated that the user consent is needed in order to ensure a legal basis for processing META* user data. “In other words, WhatsApp Ireland” forced “users to consent to the processing of personal data and thereby violated the GDPR. It was also found that the company acted “in violation of its obligations regarding transparency.”
The observation authority also instructed WhatsApp to bring its data processing operations in line with the requirements within 6 months. The representative of WhatsApp said that he intends to appeal this decision and is firmly convinced that the Messenger’s work method meets both technical and legal requirements.
Previously, META* has already been issued a record fine of $ 725 million for providing third parties to personal information of Facebook users.
* META and the company’s products (Instagram and Facebook) are recognized as extremist organizations; Their activities are prohibited in the Russian Federation.