Norway has had it with Meta, threatens $100K fines for data violations

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Meta's data privacy woes in Europe continue as Norway has announced an immediate ban on "behavioral advertising" on Facebook and Instagram. Until Meta makes some big changes, it will be fined $100,000 daily for Norwegian user privacy breaches, the Norwegian Data Protection Authority, Datatilsynet, said yesterday.

"Meta tracks in detail the activity of users of its Facebook and Instagram platforms," Datatilsynet's press release said. "Users are profiled based on where they are, what type of content they show interest in, and what they publish, amongst others. These personal profiles are used for marketing purposes—so called behavioral advertising. The Norwegian Data Protection Authority considers that the practice of Meta is illegal and is therefore imposing a temporary ban of behavioral advertising on Facebook and Instagram."

Norway has not banned the apps. Its ban is focused on restricting data collection for behavioral advertising and starts August 4. The temporary ban could drag on for three months unless Meta takes remedial action sooner.