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Spain Fines Facebook Over Tracking Users Without Consent (tomshardware.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the respect-my-authority dept.

Spain's Data Protection Authority has issued a 1.2 million euro fine against Facebook after it found three instances when the company collected data without informing users, as required by European Union privacy laws. Tom's Hardware reports: The AEPD found multiple issues with how Facebook gathered data on Spanish users. One of the issues was that Facebook collects data on ideology, sex, and religious beliefs, as well as personal tastes and web surfing habits without informing the users about how that data will be used. A second issue was that Facebook wasn't obtaining specific and informed consent from the users because the data it was offering them about the collection was not sufficiently clear. The company has been tracking both users and non-users of the service through the Like button across the web without informing them about this sort of tracking, nor about what it plans to do with the data. The company has said that the collection is done for advertising purposes before, but some purposes remain secret, according to the Spanish Data Protection Authority. The AEPD said this sort of collection doesn't comply with the EU's data protection regulations.

Finally, the AEPD also noticed that Facebook has not been completely purging the data about users who had already deleted their accounts and that Facebook was making use of accounts' data that have been deleted for more than 17 months. Considering the data that has remained behind is no longer useful for the purpose for which it was collected, the agency considered this another serious infringement of EU privacy laws.

8 of 41 comments (clear)

  1. 1.2 Million Euros? by Zaelath · · Score: 5, Insightful

    That's like fining an individual about $5 for thousands of violations.

    Why didn't they just send them a sternly worded letter?

    1. Re:1.2 Million Euros? by hcs_$reboot · · Score: 3, Funny

      That's a lot for Spain!

      --
      Slashdot, fix the reply notifications... You won't get away with it...
    2. Re:1.2 Million Euros? by Zaelath · · Score: 3

      Yeah, what the AC said, you can't negotiate away legal rights.

      Just because I put "we have first right of refusal to any of your off-spring" in the EULA doesn't mean I can come and take your kids.

  2. I guess you could say... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Facebook did not expect the Spanish Inquisition.

  3. Google too? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    the company has been tracking both users and non-users of the service through the Like button across the web without informing them about this sort of tracking,

    Very similar, Google tracking shit ("google-analytics" and far more) is embedded all over the web now. It tracks people who have no Google accounts and do not use Google products or services.

  4. Re:The EU needs a new law by gnick · · Score: 3, Interesting

    You're an FB user just like you're an EquiFax customer. You just didn't know you were using FB because you never volunteered.

    --
    He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
  5. Re: The EU needs a new law by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    The EU Data Protection Regulation comes into effect in May 2018. A small fine from Spain sets a precedent. A previous conviction for the same crime when more significant fines are levied will be harder to fight in court. The conviction will also set a precedent for all 28 member countries.

    I guess the EU is doing something to protect its own commerce and citizens from exploitation by non-EU companies and organizations. Sounds reasonable to me.

  6. Facebook should have been banned in Spain by franzrogar · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I'm Spaniard, and I live in Spain.

    I've set-up my Google account to not track *anything* from me at all. Not keep a record of anything I search (Google Search), I see (Google YouTube) or hear (Google Music).

    I use Chrome, I've configured:
    - AdBlock Plus with many filters and kept up-to-date
    - Don't track me Google!, installed
    - Do not track
    - Privacy Budget

    I've a Facebook account which I think I've used only three or four times since creation about 6 years ago; and normally I do never login on it unless extrictly needed (last time was about 6 months ago) and I log-out right after.

    I do have an Instagram account, now owned by Facebook, and keep it running always in background mode in my Android; where I do also have an ad-block installed (rooted).

    Well, I looked for colagen pils for my mother in Google Search a month ago and what was my surprise that the same day on the evening the very same pils brand I bought appeared as an ad in Instagram (where I only look for calligraphy, medieval illumination and bookbinding).

    Facebook? Banned for shiting in privacy.