SEOUL, South Korea ( Associated Press) — The South Korean agency charged with protecting people’s privacy announced Wednesday that it has allowed Google and Meta data to track users’ online activity and use their data without their consent. a total fine of 100 billion ($72 million). Send them advertisements.
South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission fined Google 69.2 billion won ($50 million) and Meta 30.8 billion ($22 million) after a meeting. ,
The commission said in a press release that they are the largest ever fines in South Korea for breaches of privacy rules.
The companies have rejected the commission’s claims and META has announced that it will appeal the decision in court. Fines can be appealed through administrative challenges, which must be filed no later than 90 days after companies have received formal notice from the panel.
According to the commission, Google and Meta — the parent company of Facebook and Instagram — failed to properly warn users or obtain their consent when collecting data about their online activities while using other websites or services. The commission said the data was used to analyze the interests of each consumer and send them personalized advertisements.
It said it ordered companies to provide an “easy and clear” mechanism for users to give their consent and thus have greater control over information related to their online activities.
“Google did not expressly inform users that it will collect and use information about other companies’ use of the services when they sign up,” the commission said.
“Meta did not present the Consent Agreement in a way that was readily viewable by users when registering, but that content was included in the General Agreement of Use. It provided users with legally required information about not specifically informed and did not obtain their consent.”
