European Consumer Groups Claim Meta Engaged in Large-Scale Data Processing

European consumer rights groups have accused Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, of conducting a "massive" and "illegal" data collection operation on hundreds of millions of users in Europe.

The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), representing 45 consumer groups, disclosed that eight of these groups are lodging complaints with their national data protection authorities on Thursday.

The groups argue that Meta (META) collects excessive user information, including data used to determine their sexual orientation, emotional state, and vulnerability to addiction, without the users' informed consent.

According to the groups, these practices violate certain provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the European Union's key data privacy law.

The BEUC stated that Meta's illegal practices contribute to fueling the surveillance-based ads system, which collects extensive personal data to display targeted advertisements to consumers.

CNN has reached out to Meta for a response.

Thursday’s grievances could potentially lead to further legal action against the company, which has long been under intense regulatory scrutiny in Europe.

In May of last year, the tech giant was fined a record-breaking €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion) by EU regulators for breaching GDPR rules. This violation involved transferring the personal data of Facebook users to servers located in the United States.

Meta was compelled by EU regulators in October to begin seeking explicit consent from its users in order to process their personal information for the specific purpose of providing targeted advertisements.

Meta has recently launched a subscription service for its European users, offering ad-free versions of Facebook and Instagram for a monthly fee of up to €12.99 ($14). Additionally, starting from Friday, users will also be charged extra for each new account created as part of this service.

This new offering is in line with Meta's commitment to adhere to the GDPR regulations.

The BEUC argued Thursday that Meta's subscription service presents users with an unfair and misleading choice due to a lack of transparency in data processing. This means that subscribers are unaware of how their information will be handled. Additionally, the organization highlighted that Meta's strong market presence makes it difficult for users to switch platforms without disconnecting from their social circles.

In November, the BEUC filed a complaint with European consumer protection authorities, contending that Meta's "pay-or-consent" approach violates EU regulations against unfair and "aggressive" commercial practices.

Ursula Pachl, deputy director general of the BEUC, stated on Thursday that Meta's consumer offer is merely a facade to hide its true intention of collecting and profiting from sensitive personal information through invasive advertising practices.

This article also includes contributions from Brian Fung.

Editor's P/S:

The allegations against Meta paint a disturbing picture of a company that has been systematically violating the privacy of its users in Europe. The collection of excessive and sensitive data without informed consent is a clear breach of the GDPR and has serious implications for consumer rights. It is particularly troubling that Meta is using this data to fuel its surveillance-based advertising system, which has been shown to be both harmful and discriminatory.

The BEUC's complaints and the potential legal action that may follow are a welcome step towards holding Meta accountable for its actions. It is essential that regulators take strong action to protect consumers from these types of abuses and ensure that companies respect their privacy rights. The fact that Meta has been fined heavily in the past for GDPR violations suggests that it has not taken these concerns seriously enough. It is time for the company to change its ways and prioritize the privacy of its users.