Meta Faces $15 Million Fine in South Korea for Violating Data Privacy Laws

South Korea’s Data Watchdog Fines Meta Over Unauthorized Data Collection and Targeted Ads

The South Korean Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) has imposed a hefty 21.6 billion won ($15.6 million) fine on Meta, Facebook’s parent company, for the unauthorized collection and sharing of personal user data. This violation reportedly involved nearly one million South Korean users whose private information, such as political and religious beliefs and sexual orientation, was allegedly accessed without their consent.

Investigations by the PIPC revealed that Meta utilized its data analysis capabilities to gather sensitive information, which it then shared with approximately 4,000 advertisers. The data was analyzed to curate highly targeted ads based on themes considered sensitive, including same-sex relationships, transgender issues, and North Korean defectors. These actions violated South Korea’s strict privacy laws, which mandate companies to secure explicit user permission when processing sensitive information.

South Korea’s Stand on Data Privacy for Global Tech Giants

In addition to the fine, the PIPC has ordered Meta to adopt stronger legal standards for data collection, ensure data security, and promptly respond to users seeking access to their information. This ruling underscores South Korea’s commitment to ensuring foreign technology firms, including global giants like Meta, comply with its Personal Information Protection Act.

The ruling serves as a warning for multinational tech companies, emphasizing the need for stringent adherence to local data laws to protect user privacy. As privacy concerns continue to grow, regulators worldwide are taking stronger actions to hold corporations accountable for their data practices.