Meta (Facebook) sits up and takes notice after settling targeted ads privacy case

[Retro]

This one's not exactly a fraud or scam, but Meta's, (Facebook's owner) methods of tracking users has always been a bit shady and underhand. Finally, one woman, a human rights activist, has stood up to them and actually won a settlement in court. Incredible, what a result. While not technically precedent setting as it's a settlement not a loss, it looks like it might do that anyway.

Note that the settlement amount isn't disclosed and the articles don't even mention this, just don't say the amount. Nice work, guys. Clearly, the settlement amount must have been substantial, or Meta wouldn't have sat up and taken notice, like this dog:


A dog sitting up and taking notice, like Meta.

The owner of Facebook and Instagram has agreed to stop targeting a UK citizen with personalised adverts after agreeing a settlement in a landmark privacy case that could set a precedent for millions of social media users.

Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta also said it was considering charging UK users for an advert-free version of its platforms after the legal agreement that avoided a trial in the high court in London.

Tanya O’Carroll, a human rights campaigner, launched a lawsuit against the $1.5tn (£1.2tn) company in 2022, alleging it had breached UK data laws by failing to respect her right to demand Facebook stop collecting and processing her data in order to target her with adverts. Her stance was supported by the UK’s data watchdog, indicating that the case will set a precedent for millions of UK users of online platforms.

Meta to stop targeting UK citizen with personalised ads after settling privacy case

Facebook and Instagram owner reaches legal agreement with human rights campaigner in case that could set precedent for millions

www.theguardian.com

The BBC's take on this:

Facebook to stop targeting ads at UK woman after legal fight

Tanya O'Carroll says her case opens a "gateway" for others wanting to stop personalised adverts.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Tiffany]

I'm with Tanya O'Carroll on this. It's down right creepy when you get ads about something you were just talking about, looking at or scrolling through. It's interesting, though, that she won the lawsuit. Now let's see what fakebook does and will they move out of the UK with the new Online act?

"I knew that this kind of predatory, invasive advertising is actually something that we all have a legal right to object to," Ms O'Carroll told Radio 4's Today Programme.

"I don't think we should have to accept these unfair terms where we consent to all that invasive data tracking and surveillance."