Italy’s Antitrust Watchdog Fines Meta for Unfair Commercial Practices

Italy’s antitrust regulator, AGCM, has imposed a fine on Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, for what it described as unfair commercial practices. The watchdog announced the decision on Wednesday, citing deficiencies in how Meta informs users about the use of their personal data for commercial purposes.

AGCM’s investigation revealed that Instagram users were not adequately informed about how their data would be used for advertising. Additionally, both Facebook and Instagram users were not provided with clear instructions on how to contest account suspensions, according to the regulator’s statement.

In response to these findings, Meta has already taken steps to address the issues. “We disagree with the Italian competition authority’s decision and are assessing our options,” a Meta spokesperson said in a statement.

Read more: Meta Proposes New Data Limits on Facebook Marketplace in UK Amid CMA Oversight

The spokesperson further noted that since August 2023, Meta has made several changes for Italian users. These changes aim to enhance transparency regarding data usage for advertising purposes on Instagram, addressing the concerns raised by AGCM.

The fine underscores ongoing regulatory scrutiny of major tech companies in Europe, as authorities continue to emphasize the need for greater transparency and user rights protections in the digital marketplace.

Source: Reuters