Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg ( File Photo | AP) 
World

Italy threatens Facebook with fine for selling users' data

The company has faced a barrage of criticism recently for the misuse of users' data to influence elections amid increasing calls for the company run by Mark Zuckerberg to be regulated.

From our online archive

ROME: Italy's competition authority has warned Facebook it faces a further fine of five million euros ($5.5 million) for persisting in selling users' data without informing them.

The non-compliance procedure by Italy's AGCM consumer and market watchdog follows five million euro fine against the social media giant in November 2018 for failing to tell users "how the data they will provide will be harvested for commercial purposes."

Facebook has also failed to publish a "corrective statement" about its commercial practices on its homepage and app, the authority said in a statement on Friday.

The company has removed the claim that "it is free and will be forever" but users "continue not to be informed by the company, clearly and immediately, as to the collection and use of their data for remunerative purposes."

Facebook has repeatedly said it does not sell users' data.

The company has faced a barrage of criticism recently for the misuse of users' data to influence elections amid increasing calls for the company run by Mark Zuckerberg to be regulated.

Is Akhilesh Yadav adopting ‘soft Hindutva’ ahead of 2027 poll battle?

Visas a 'sovereign' matter, says MEA as Tharoor alleges 115 Bharat Summit speakers barred

Bessent blames Lutnick's Commerce Department for not restricting Nvidia chips to China

What IAF's Gajraj landing at Nyoma, the border with China, means

India joins 50 nations in call for ‘safe, sustained and unhindered’ humanitarian aid access to Gaza