EU Court Rules Facebook-owner Meta Must Minimize Use of Personal Data for Ads
In a landmark ruling, the Court of Justice for the European Union (CJEU) has ordered Facebook-owner Meta to minimize the amount of people’s data it uses for personalized advertising. The decision comes in response to a complaint filed by privacy campaigner Max Schrems, who accused Facebook of misusing his personal data, specifically his sexual orientation, to target ads at him.
Schrems, who never shared information about his sexuality on the platform, argued that he was targeted with ads aimed at gay people. The CJEU agreed with Schrems, stating that data protection law does not allow companies like Meta to use sensitive data, such as sexual orientation, race, or health status, for personalized advertising without restrictions.
Meta, on the other hand, claims that it does not use special category data for ads and emphasizes its commitment to privacy. The company stated that it has invested billions of Euros to embed privacy at the core of its products and offers users tools to manage their information.
Reacting to the ruling, Schrems’ lawyer expressed satisfaction with the outcome, noting that only a small portion of Meta’s data pool will now be allowed for advertising, even with user consent. Legal experts also weighed in on the decision, highlighting its significant implications for big tech companies like Meta.
The ruling, while not binding for UK courts, could set a precedent for similar challenges in other jurisdictions. Austria’s Supreme Court, which referred the case to the CJEU, is expected to issue a final judgment in the coming weeks or months. Schrems, known for his legal battles against Meta over data privacy issues, has been at the forefront of advocating for stricter regulations on tech companies.
Overall, the CJEU’s decision underscores the importance of data protection principles in regulating the use of personal data by tech giants like Meta, signaling a potential shift towards greater privacy safeguards for users.
