Norway Urges Europe to Extend Meta Data Collection Ban

Norway's Data Protection Authority, Datatilsynet, has appealed to the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) to permanently ban Meta's data collection for advertising purposes and extend it across Europe.

The ban, which is about to expire on November 3, has prohibited Meta from gathering user data for targeted advertising on its flagship platforms, Facebook and Instagram.

CJEU's Ruling on Meta's Data Practices

This move comes as the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) found Meta collecting protected data - such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, and more - intended for its behavioral ads network.

Despite Meta's claim that users consented to this collection when agreeing to the terms and conditions at sign-up, the CJEU dismissed their stance.

"We believe that our temporary ban must be made permanent," Datatilsynet said in a recent statement. "Furthermore, we believe that the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) must be interpreted consistently throughout the EU/EEA, and we ask for the ban to be extended to the rest of Europe."

Meta has since contested Norway's position. The company believes that the Norwegian DPA's decision lacks a legitimate basis and that the DPA's appeal to the EDPB is unwarranted.

Meta's Defense and Surprise

Speaking to The Register, a Meta spokesperson said they were "surprised" by the actions of the Norwegian authority and mentioned that Meta "has already committed to moving to the legal basis of consent for advertising in the EU/EEA."

The backdrop to this unfolding drama is Norway's unique position in European affairs. Though not a member of the European Union, it is a part of the European single market, compelling it to uphold CJEU rulings and align with European standards.

VPNs and Digital Privacy

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) with anti-tracker features can protect against tracker-based data harvesting. However, these privacy-focused tools can only cover so much ground. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter may deploy more advanced mechanisms to gather personal data.

Such intricacies highlight the importance of regulatory interventions by institutions like CJEU and other digital privacy watchdogs. With both sides entrenched in their positions, the coming weeks will be critical in shaping the future of European digital privacy rights.

Upholding optimal privacy levels can be daunting, especially for non-tech-savvy users. For more helpful tips on protecting your privacy, check out our privacy check-up guide.