Facebook Has to Oblige with Europe’s Privacy Orders, No Exceptions for Social Media Apps

Facebook Inc. would have to follow Europe's privacy orders mandated by the European Union, a data protection organization. Under particular circumstances, a national supervisory authority could exercise its power to take any alleged infringement of European data protection rules to court in any way it prefers.

The order covers even those in power who are not lead supervisors concerning the processed data, according to a statement by the European Court of Justice on Tuesday, June 15.

Facebook's Privacy Fiasco with Europe

According to the Associated Press, a top court adviser stated on June 14 that any European country could take legal actions against various companies, such as Facebook, regarding cross-border violations of their data privacy rules and regulations.

This statement shows that anyone within Europe can sue Facebook and not just the company's primary regulator.

The AP also mentioned that the preliminary opinion is a critical element of the long-running legal fiasco between the social media app, Facebook, and Belgium's data protection authority. The issue between the two parties started because of the social media app's use of cookies to know the behavior of their users and those who do not have accounts on Facebook.

Facebook's Claims

The established social media platform held its head up high and fought the legal battle.According to CNBC, a Facebook spokesperson stated that similar to other companies, Facebook has diligently followed European rules, and relies on the Standard Contractual Clauses.

In addition, they also utilize the correct data safeguards to constantly offer a global service that connects people, businesses, and even charities.

The spokesperson added that they are looking forward to defending their compliance with the DPC because their preliminary decision damages Facebook, and the users and their businesses.

Facebook's Obligation with Europe's Privacy Orders

Bloomberg recently reported that the problem is the one-stop-shop system set up under the European data protection rules ever since May 2018.

The order puts the authority in a specific company's chosen EU depending on the charge of its supervisor as a way to enhance close cooperation among regulators.

Ireland became the chosen EU hub for most of the US tech giants, one being Facebook. However, the social media app's data watchdog has been under harsh criticism because it takes too long.

Bloomberg also reported that the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) provided data regulators with unprecedented powers to fine organizations and companies up to 4% of their yearly sales.

The one-stop-shop policy has several questions about EU power regulators' powers other than Ireland's ability to sanction companies like Facebook.

On June 15, the case goes back to becoming a privacy order mandated by the Belgian data protection watchdog responsible for stopping tracking cookies from accessing users' data without their consent.

However, Facebook argues that only Irish authorities have the power to rule over its activities.

Tensions have been slowly but surely building up over what some people perceive as their Irish co-authorities' slow regard of taking action.

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Fran Sanders