€805m penalty: Italy fines Meta for accessing users’ photos without clear consent
Regulator cites unclear notice
Facebook sought access to users’ photo galleries through a single authorisation covering the app. Italy’s regulator said a notice shown beforehand did not make clear that permission would also let Facebook generate suggestions based on gallery photos.
Meta defends the feature
Meta said the feature helps people post photos and videos to Facebook. The company said users must grant permission on their device before it can work. Meta also said users can change that permission at any time through their settings.
Separate US ruling mentioned
The report also says a US judge in New Mexico ordered Meta to pay $25bn, or £18.6bn. The judge found that the company had spent years lying to the public about its handling of Facebook user data. That US case is separate from the Italian regulator’s action over access to Android users’ photos.
Key points
- Italy fined Meta €805m over Facebook’s access to Android photo galleries.
- The regulator said Facebook’s notice did not clearly explain the use of gallery photos for suggestions.
- Meta said users must approve access on their device and can change permission in settings.