The EU’s highest court says Meta, the company that owns Facebook, must limit the use of people’s data for personalized advertising. This decision came after a privacy campaigner, Max Schrems, complained that Facebook used his personal data about his sexual orientation to show him targeted ads. The court ruled that data protection laws do not allow companies like Facebook to use sensitive data for advertising without clear restrictions. Meta says they do not use special category data for personalized ads and take privacy seriously. Users can manage how their information is used using tools on the platform. Experts say this ruling shows that data protection rules are important, even for big tech companies. The decision, although not binding for UK courts, could have significant implications for Meta’s business model. Mr. Schrems has previously challenged Meta over its data processing practices and this ruling could impact similar cases in other jurisdictions.
Vocabulary List:
- Implications /ˌɪmplɪˈkeɪʃənz/ (noun): Possible effects or consequences of an action or decision.
- Restrictions /rɪˈstrɪkʃənz/ (noun): Rules or regulations that limit or control something.
- Personalized /ˈpɜːrsənəlaɪzd/ (adjective): Designed or tailored to meet the individual needs or preferences of a user.
- Campaigner /kæmˈpeɪnər/ (noun): A person who takes part in a campaign for a cause or issue.
- Ruling /ˈruːlɪŋ/ (noun): An official decision made by a court or judge.
- Sensitive /ˈsɛnsɪtɪv/ (adjective): Requiring careful handling due to potential risks or impacts.
