Norway’s data protection authority, Datatilsynet, has announced that it will impose daily fines of 1 million Norwegian kroner ($98,500) on Facebook and Instagram-owned meta platforms starting August 14 for privacy violations.
The decision comes after Datatilsynet warned on July 17 that the company would face fines unless it addressed identified privacy breaches.
The regulator’s move is aimed at curbing Meta’s harvesting of user data in Norway, including physical locations, to enable targeted behavioral advertising, a common strategy among major tech companies. . The fine will remain in effect until November 3, with any possible extension or permanent depending on the decision of the European Data Protection Board.
“From next Monday, a fine of 1 million crowns per day will start to apply,” said Tobias Judin, head of Datatilsynet’s international section, stressing the consequences to come. This implementation reflects the authority’s commitment to maintaining data protection standards within the country and potentially across Europe.
Although Norway is not a member of the EU, it operates within the European single market, which could have far-reaching implications if the case is referred to the European Data Protection Board. Datatilsynet has not yet taken this step.
In response to these regulatory challenges, Meta recently announced its intention to obtain user consent within the European Union before facilitating targeted advertising to businesses based on user activity on Facebook and Instagram. . The adjustment follows a directive issued in January by Ireland’s data protection commissioner, which called for a re-examination of Meta’s legal basis for targeting ads in the region.
As the date of enforcement of the fine approaches, meta-platforms will be under increased scrutiny not only in Norway but also by other European data protection authorities.
