The concessions Meta agreed to include the introduction of an Accounts Center by June 2023, giving users the power to keep data collected from different services separate for improved privacy.
Other measures include cookie settings that allow users to decide whether their data can be combined with additional information collected by Meta, as well as a special exception for Facebook Login. Ultimately, the Federal Cartel Office in Germany announced the conclusion of the proceedings.
In a surprising turn of events, Meta decided to drop its appeal against the regulator’s order. Meta has also committed to providing clear information about data combination settings, offering users prominent notifications and ensuring easy access to consent options.
These changes, agreed upon after intensive discussions with Meta, place more control in users’ hands when it comes to data privacy. While the impact of the FCO’s case is significant, the battle against Meta’s privacy practices continues across Europe. This enhanced control enables users to manage how their data are combined.
While data combination may seem harmless, it can lead to detailed profiling of individuals. The authority intervened to prevent Facebook’s ‘superprofiling’ of users through cross-site tracking without consent, deeming it an exploitative abuse of Facebook’s dominant position in the market. Meta’s tracking practices can link various web activities to a single user account, enabling the formation of a comprehensive profile and even the inference of intentions. Consequently, the German Federal Cartel Office’s decision is now final, indicating a victory for the regulator. A long-standing competition battle against Facebook (aka Meta) concluded on Thursday as Germany’s antitrust authority took a stand for privacy rights back in 2019. Despite this, users of Facebook and Instagram will still need to navigate various hurdles to prevent their data from being amalgamated into Meta’s ad-targeting systems.
Andreas Mundt, president of the Bundeskartellamt, noted, “As a result of our decision, Meta has made very significant changes to the way it handles user data.” The main change involves no longer requiring users to consent to the unlimited collection and linking of data to their accounts across Meta services like Instagram and third-party platforms. The measures taken by the FCO highlight the importance of protecting user data and ensuring transparent consent practices within the tech industry. né?
