South Korea Fines Meta $15 Million for Data Collection Violations

Meta was found to have collected personal data on a massive scale without the proper consent of South Korean users.

The news comes as South Korea continues to crack down on big tech companies for privacy violations.

The South Korean government has fined Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, a whopping $15 million for illegally collecting personal data on a large scale without the proper consent of users.

The move underscores South Korea's increasing efforts to hold big tech companies accountable for privacy violations and protect the personal data of its citizens.

According to the Korea Communications Commission (KCC), Meta collected personal data from users without their explicit consent through its technology and used it to target them with personalized advertisements.

The KCC stated that Meta's data collection practices violated the country's privacy laws, which require companies to obtain informed consent from users before collecting their personal information.

Meta has yet to publicly comment on the fine. However, the company has previously maintained that it complies with all applicable privacy laws and regulations.

South Korea has been at the forefront of regulating big tech companies and protecting user privacy. In recent years, the country has imposed hefty fines on several tech giants, including Google and Apple, for privacy violations.

The KCC has also introduced stricter privacy regulations, such as the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), which gives individuals more control over their personal data and imposes stricter obligations on companies that handle such data.

Today's fine against Meta sends a clear message that South Korea is serious about protecting the privacy of its citizens and holding big tech companies accountable for their actions.