Noyb Files Complaint Against BeReal Over Consent Collecton Tactics
Austrian advocacy group Noyb has taken action against BeReal, a social media platform known for its focus on authenticity. The organization has filed a complaint with the French data protection authority (CNIL) regarding BeReal’s practices related to its data consent banner. According to Noyb, users who accept the terms allowing their personal data to be used for advertising purposes find that the consent banner disappears. In contrast, those who reject the terms are confronted with the banner daily, which raises concerns about the freedom of consent.
Noyb argues that this practice creates undue pressure on users to accept tracking for personalized advertising. The organization asserts that consent obtained under such circumstances does not meet the standards set forth in Article 4(11) of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). As part of its complaint, Noyb has requested that the CNIL impose a fine on BeReal and compel the platform to adhere to GDPR requirements.
Additionally, Noyb referenced guidelines established by the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) in early 2023. These guidelines highlight the issue of “continuous prompting deceptive design patterns,” where users are repeatedly encouraged to provide more personal data than necessary. Such tactics can lead to users feeling overwhelmed and ultimately consenting to data sharing out of fatigue from constant refusals.
The complaint comes at a time when BeReal, which was acquired by French company Voodoo in June, is facing scrutiny for its data practices. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for how social media platforms handle user consent and data protection in the future.
Source: BeReal accused of annoying users into sharing their data
