OSLO (Reuters): In a case that might have wider European repercussions, Meta Platforms (META.O) petitioned a Norwegian court on Tuesday to quash a punishment that Norway’s data authority had levied on the company behind Facebook and Instagram for violating user privacy.
Since August 14, Meta Platforms has been subject to a daily fine of 1 million crowns ($94,313) for collecting user data and utilizing it to target users with behavioural advertising, a Big Tech standard practice.
The ruling, which levies a daily fee until November 3, is the subject of the company’s request for a temporary injunction.
Christian Reusch, a lawyer for the firm, stated in court on Tuesday that “Meta has already committed to ask for consent (from users).”
Datatilsynet, the Norwegian data authority, informed Meta on July 14 that it would fine the business unless Meta took corrective measures. On August 7, the authority proceeded with the fine.
Meta said on August 1 that it has decided to request users’ permission in Europe before permitting behavioral advertising, citing a January decision by its key regulator in Ireland, where the company’s headquarters are located.
Reusch also testified before the court that Datatilsynet employed an unnecessary “expedited process” and did not allow the business adequate time to respond.
On Wednesday, Datatilsynet will deliver its reasons.
Previously, the regulator said that it was unclear when and how Meta would get users’ agreement and that, in the meanwhile, their rights were being infringed.
Tobias Judin, the regulator’s head of international department, told Reuters that Datatilsynet would argue that there was no legal justification for an injunction.
If Datatilsynet concurs with the judgment of the Norwegian regulator, it may send the matter to the European Data Protection Board, which has the authority to make the fine permanent.
Additionally, it may extend the decision’s geographic reach to the rest of Europe. This step hasn’t been completed by Datatilsynet.
The Oslo District Court hearing will go on for two days.