The Antitrust imposed a fine of 3.5 million on Meta for unfair commercial practices. The Competition and Market Authority makes this known by explaining that “in the Instagram registration process, users did not receive clear information on the collection and use of their data for commercial purposes”. Furthermore, he continues, “in the event of suspension of the Facebook and Instagram accounts, no useful communications were provided for any disputes”.
The Competition and Market Authority, we read in a note, has fined Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd. and the parent company Meta Platforms Inc. 3.5 million euros for two deceptive commercial practices regarding the creation and management of accounts of the social networks Facebook and Instagram. The Authority ascertained that Meta, in violation of articles 20, 21 and 22 of the Consumer Code, did not immediately inform users registered on Instagram via the web of the use of their personal data for commercial purposes”.
Furthermore, the Authority «found that, in violation of article 20 of the Consumer Code, Meta did not precisely manage the suspension of its users' Facebook and Instagram accounts. In particular, Meta has not indicated how it decides to suspend Facebook accounts (whether following an automated or “human” control) and has not provided Facebook and Instagram users with information on the possibility of contesting the suspension of their accounts (they can to an out-of-court dispute resolution body or to a judge)”. Finally, “it provided for a short deadline (30 days) for the consumer to contest the suspension”. These two practices, the AGCM underlined, “were ceased by Meta during the proceedings”