Seoul, November 7, 2024 –Meta hit with a $15M fine in South Korea for leaking sensitive user data to advertisers! Major privacy scandal with exposed beliefs and outdated security—PIPC isn’t holding back.
In a landmark case, Meta, the social media giant behind Facebook, has been slapped with a massive fine of $15 million by South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) for a scandalous breach of privacy regulations.
This bombshell ruling highlights a disturbing trend of global tech giants mishandling sensitive user data, as governments ramp up measures to protect privacy rights. The PIPC revealed that Meta funneled highly sensitive data from nearly one million South Korean users to around 4,000 advertisers, who targeted users based on factors like religious and political beliefs.
The unauthorized use of sensitive information crosses a line.
Meta, under scrutiny, admitted to halting sensitive data collection in 2021 and stopped targeted advertising related to this information in 2022. However, the damage was done as South Korea tightened its privacy laws, leading to this hefty penalty.
Meta’s data handling practices extended beyond mere advertising. The PIPC found that Meta ignored users’ requests for access to personal data details, sparking further outrage. A South Korean official remarked:
Meta’s refusal to grant data access violated user rights, underscoring a severe lapse in privacy practices.
To make matters worse, a hack via an outdated recovery page left 10 users vulnerable to unauthorized access, exposing weaknesses in Meta’s security measures. The PIPC has mandated Meta to its data processing protocols, fortify its security, and respond promptly to user requests.
This decision mirrors a global shift, with Europe also penalizing Meta with a record €1.2 billion fine for similar infractions. The pressure is on as regulators worldwide are demanding that tech giants play by the rules—or pay the price.
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