IrelandOf data privacy regulators have been slapped WeChat Was fined a record 225 million euros (193 million pounds) for violating EU data protection rules.
Dublin Data Protection Commission (DPC) Announce decision After a three-year survey of Facebook’s messaging app, Thursday. It ordered WhatsApp to correct its behavior to protect privacy.
WhatsApp called the fines “completely disproportionate” and said it would appeal.
This is the largest fine imposed by a DPC with pan-European powers and the second largest fine imposed on technology companies under EU law.
The regulator stated that WhatsApp “seriously” and “seriously” violated general data protection regulations (GDPR), this is a landmark transparency rule, implemented in 2018.
“This includes information provided to data subjects regarding the processing of information between WhatsApp and other Facebook companies,” it said in a statement.
inside 266 page verdict Commissioner Helen Dixon stated that the company only provided 41% of the required information to users of its services. Non-users-messages they send on other apps can be forwarded to the platform by WhatsApp users-get no information, depriving them of the right to control their personal data.
Dixon said that the four “very serious” violations violated the core of the GDPR. “They touch the core of the general principle of transparency and the fundamental right of individuals to protect their personal data, which stems from the free will and autonomy of individuals to share their personal data voluntarily, for example like this.”
The regulator said these violations affected “a very large number” of people.
WhatsApp, which was acquired by Facebook in 2014, disputed the ruling. “WhatsApp is committed to providing a safe and private service. We have worked hard to ensure that the information we provide is transparent and comprehensive, and will continue to do so. We do not agree with today’s decision to provide transparency to people in 2018, and the penalties are completely disproportionate. “
Messaging application is powered by A quarter of the world’s population. Since Facebook acquired digital rights advocates Accuse Mark Zuckerberg of breaking promises Respect the data privacy of WhatsApp users.
DPC is the main data privacy regulator in the European Union, applicable to Facebook and other large technology companies based in Europe IrelandLast year, it conducted 14 major surveys on Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, and Instagram is also owned by Facebook.
Some other European regulators claim that Irish institutions have insufficient resources, slow action and weakness in punishing privacy violations. Dixon denies this accusation.
Recording fines does not necessarily indicate that Dublin’s teeth are sharper.When Dixon completed the investigation of WhatsApp last year, she proposed a Moderate fine According to reports, it ranges from 30 euros to 50 million euros.
Eight data regulators in other EU countries rejected this. The question has been submitted to the European Data Protection Board (EDPB), which oversees the GDPR. It issued a binding ruling in July, and Irish regulators must now enforce the ruling.
“The decision contains clear instructions that require [Irish data protection commission] Based on the many factors contained in the EDPB’s decision, it reassessed and increased its proposed fine. After the reassessment, DPC imposed a fine of 225 million euros on WhatsApp,” Dixon’s office said.
“In addition to imposing administrative fines, DPC also condemned and ordered WhatsApp to adopt a series of specific remedial measures to make its processing compliant.”
John Magee, a data privacy expert at the law firm DLA Piper, said: “A striking aspect of the process was the increase in the fines originally proposed by DPC from 30 million euros to 50 million euros.
“The fine highlights the importance of complying with the GDPR transparency rules regarding data sharing between users, non-users, and group entities.”
