Italy fines Meta €805 million for unauthorized Android photo‑gallery access
Italy’s data‑protection authority fined Meta Platforms €805 million for the Facebook Android app’s feature that scanned users’ photo and video galleries without specific consent. The regulator said the feature affected about 20 million Italian Android users and ordered Meta to disable it by default and obtain separate consent within 60 days. Meta plans to appeal the decision.
Why it matters
The fine represents roughly 0.47% of Meta’s global revenue, creating a material one‑off cost (the regulator’s notice states the amount). The required product change may reduce user engagement with the feature and set a precedent for consent‑by‑design requirements across Europe.
Key facts
- 1The Garante imposed a fine of €805 million on Meta Platforms Ireland Limited. securities.io
- 2The regulator estimated that about 20 million Android users in Italy were affected. securities.io
- 3Meta must disable the gallery‑suggestion feature by default and obtain separate, specific consent within 60 days. securities.io
- 4The fine equals roughly 0.47% of Meta’s worldwide revenue, according to the regulator. securities.io
Summary written by AlphAI AI Desk from 20 of 36 sources. Not investment advice. Figures are as stated by the linked sources.