Complaints Filed Against Meta for Targeted Advertising Violations
Online rights activists have filed complaints with data protection authorities in several European countries regarding Meta’s targeted advertising practices. The Eko group announced the submission of complaints to regulators in Norway, Germany, and Spain, claiming that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, failed to respect explicit user requests to opt out of data collection and targeted advertisements. Despite users’ attempts to protect their personal data, the company continued to serve them targeted ads.
A spokesperson for Meta stated that the company was unaware of the specific complaints from Eko and could not provide a detailed response. However, they emphasized their commitment to protecting user data privacy. In compliance with European data protection regulations, Meta has introduced ad-free versions of Facebook and Instagram in Europe, which require a paid subscription. Users who agree to be tracked can access the free service, funded by advertising revenues.
The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) raised questions about Meta’s policy in 2024 but has not yet taken any concrete action. Eoin Dubsky, a spokesperson for Eko, highlighted that 5,000 group members have requested Meta to cease processing their personal data. The organization monitored the situation with the users’ consent and found that Meta continued to deliver targeted advertisements despite these requests.
Norway’s data protection authority has confirmed the receipt of complaints from Eko members and has forwarded them to the Irish Data Protection Commission, which serves as the lead supervisory authority for Meta in Europe. Tobias Judin, a representative of Norway’s authority, stated that the right to object is fundamental for individuals, emphasizing that invasive tracking for advertising could violate their rights. Norway will remain engaged in this ongoing case.
