Facebook and Google could be fined BILLIONS after being accused of ignoring European privacy rules and ‘forcing’ users to give them their private data
Privacy group noyb.eu, led by activist Max Schrems, has filed four complaints
Claims the companies fall foul because they have a ‘take it or leave it approach’
Users must agree to having their data collected or face deleting their accounts
But forcing people to accept data collection in exchange for a service is prohibited under GDPR and companies can be fined up to 4% of global turnover
By TIM COLLINS
DAILYMAIL.COM
25 May 2018
Facebook and Google may already have fallen foul of European privacy laws which took effect today, in a move that critics say could cost the companies billions.
As of today, firms that collect or process personal information online must now comply with new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) rules.
Companies should be informing their customers about the new regulations and giving them the choice of whether to continue giving them access to their data – but still be able to use their sites if they don’t.
Campaigners say that Facebook, Google, Instagram and WhatsApp are breaking the terms of GDPR by threatening customers and suggesting they will be unable to use their sites unless they agree to share their data.
Campaign group NOYB.EU says it has filed legal complaints about this behaviour.
In a statement today, the Austrian-based group argued that the companies are making users’ consent to their new terms of service a requirement if they want to continue using the service.
Those who object have to delete their account.
Max Schrems, a veteran of legal fights against Facebook and chair of the privacy group, said this amounts to ‘forced consent’, which is strictly prohibited under GDPR.
The law marks the biggest overhaul of personal data privacy rules since the birth of the internet, designed to give users a free choice, whether they agree to data usage or not.
NOYB.EU says that the opposite feeling has spread on the screens of many users.
On the first day of GDPR NOYB.EU has therefore filed four complaints against Google, Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram over ‘forced consent’.
According to the group, these are the following cases filed, their jurisdictions and anticipated fines: Google, in CNIL, France, € 3.7bn (£3.2bn / $4.3bn); Instagram, DPA, Belgium,€ 1.3bn (£1.2bn / $1.5bn); WhatsApp HmbBfDI, Hamburg, € 1.3bn (£1.2bn / $1.5bn).
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