Italy’s competition authority on Wednesday fined global technology giant Meta 3.5 million euros for data breaches and errors in managing Instagram and Facebook accounts.
The AGCM watchdog “found that Meta failed… to immediately notify users registered with Instagram via the internet about the use of their personal data for commercial purposes,” according to a statement.
It also condemned Meta’s management of suspended Facebook and Instagram accounts.
“Notably, Meta has not indicated how it decided to suspend Facebook accounts, whether as a result of an automated or ‘human’ review,” the watchdog said.
And Meta “did not provide Facebook and Instagram users with information about the ability to challenge the suspension,” including using an out-of-court dispute resolution body or a judge, the report said.
Additionally, Meta set a short window of only 30 days for consumers to challenge the suspension.
Italy’s watchdog said Meta had changed its practices since the investigation began.
Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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