Italy Fines Meta €805 Million Over Privacy Dispute
Italy’s privacy regulator has fined Meta €805 million, alleging it used Android users’ photos and videos without permission. It is one of the larger fines imposed on Meta in Europe; the company has also faced penalties over cross-border data transfers and its advertising model.
Italy’s privacy regulator has decided to fine Meta €805 million (about $887 million), alleging that the company used Android users’ photos and videos without permission. It is one of the larger fines imposed on Meta in Europe.
Recent regulatory actions against Meta in Italy and the European Union have also involved user consent for advertising, the use of artificial intelligence in services such as WhatsApp, and compliance with data regulations. Italy’s regulator has penalized Meta before, but none of those fines reached this amount, and the cases did not concern consent to the use of photos or videos.
In May 2023, Ireland’s Data Protection Commission fined Meta €1.2 billion for transferring EU users’ data to the United States without authorization. Meta is appealing the decision.
In April 2025, the European Commission fined Meta €200 million under the Digital Markets Act, finding that its “consent or pay” model did not comply with the rules. The model requires users to choose between accepting data-based advertising and paying for another form of advertising. Italy’s latest fine is lower than Ireland’s €1.2 billion fine but more than four times the European Commission’s fine.
Source: VietVance
