Introduction
Meta Platforms [5] [7] [9] [10], the parent company of Facebook [9], has been fined by South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) for violating privacy laws [2]. The fine was imposed due to Meta’s unauthorized collection and disclosure of sensitive personal information from local Facebook users.
Description
Meta Platforms [5] [7] [9] [10], the parent company of Facebook [9], has been fined 21.62 billion won (approximately $15.67 million) by South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) for unlawfully collecting and disclosing sensitive personal information from nearly 980,000 local Facebook users without obtaining explicit consent. This data included users’ political beliefs, religious affiliations [2], sexual orientation [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [8] [9], and other personal identities, such as being North Korean defectors or identifying as members of the LGBTQ+ community [7]. The violation of South Korea’s stringent privacy laws involved sharing this information with around 4,000 advertisers for targeted advertising [5], raising significant privacy concerns [5].
The investigation [3] [4] [8] [9], which lasted four years from July 2018 to March 2022 [4], revealed that Meta unlawfully harvested user behavior data by analyzing interactions, including liked pages and clicked advertisements [7] [8], to create advertising profiles based on sensitive information [7]. Lee Eun Jung [4], the commission director [2] [4], criticized Meta for its vague data policy and failure to obtain specific consent from users regarding the use of their sensitive information [4]. The PIPC emphasized that South Korea’s privacy regulations strictly protect personal beliefs and require explicit consent for processing such data [3]. Additionally, the agency found that Meta denied users access to their personal information [7], violating the Personal Information Protection Act [5].
In addition to the fine, the PIPC criticized Meta for inadequate security measures that led to a data breach affecting approximately ten South Korean users, whose information was leaked during hacking incidents. This penalty is part of a broader trend of increasing scrutiny and penalties against Meta by South Korean authorities for privacy violations [3], including a previous fine of 6.7 billion won ($4.8 million) in 2020 for sharing user information without consent [3]. The South Korean government is taking a strong stance on data protection [6], emphasizing stricter regulations for user consent in data collection processes [6]. The PIPC will continue to monitor Meta’s compliance with its corrective order to safeguard citizens’ personal information [2]. In response to the ruling, Meta stated it would “carefully review” the commission’s decision [4], reflecting the growing regulatory scrutiny the company faces globally regarding data privacy protections [1].
Conclusion
The fine imposed on Meta Platforms by South Korea’s PIPC underscores the increasing global emphasis on data privacy and the need for companies to adhere to stringent privacy regulations. This case highlights the importance of obtaining explicit user consent and implementing robust security measures to protect personal information. As regulatory scrutiny intensifies, companies like Meta must prioritize compliance to avoid penalties and safeguard user trust. The PIPC’s ongoing monitoring of Meta’s corrective actions serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of non-compliance and the evolving landscape of data protection laws worldwide.
References
[1] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/south-korea-slaps-meta-15m-162113004.html
[2] https://thehackernews.com/2024/11/south-korea-fines-meta-1567m-for.html
[3] https://apnews.com/article/meta-facebook-south-korea-fine-privacy-9a1e9500d0462112c422e0612f1f7085
[4] https://www.wizcase.com/news/south-korean-regulators-fine-meta-15-million-over-data-privacy-breach/
[5] https://www.techtimes.com/articles/308171/20241106/south-korea-slaps-meta-1567-million-fine-misusing-sensitive-user-data.htm
[6] https://www.analyticsinsight.net/news/meta-fined-1567-million-for-privacy-violations-in-south-korea
[7] https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/south-korea-fines-meta-about-15-mln-over-collection-of-user-data-9654321/
[8] https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/south-korea-fines-meta-15-million-illegally-collecting-115506750
[9] https://techdigest.ng/meta-platforms-fined/
[10] https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/technology/3145631-meta-faces-hefty-fines-for-sensitive-data-misuse-in-south-korea
