Privacy regulators are scrutinizing the advertisement business of both Meta and Google. South Korean regulators fined the two companies more than $70 million for collecting users' personal information without their consent and then using that information to serve them. A 69.2 billion KRW fine was issued by the Personal Information Protection Commission, which is Korea's privacy watchdog.
According to a report, the commission takes issue with the way the two companies collect information on users. The collection efforts weren't clearly articulated and didn't seek users' consent According to the Associated Press, the commission wants to make it easier for users to consent to their use of the internet.
Insider Intelligence estimates that the two companies took in over half of the net ad revenue worldwide last year. The commission argued that 98% of people in South Korea use Meta's products to track their online activity.
The fines are large for violating personal information laws. Over the past five years, Meta and Google have had to pay billions of dollars in fines to regulators around the world.
Both Google and Meta were interested in appealing the ruling.
"We disagree with the findings and will be reviewing the full written decision once it's shared with us"
The company is confident that they didn't violate South Korean laws.
While we respect the decision of thePIPC, we are confident that we work with our clients in a legal way that complies with local regulations. We do not agree with the decision and will be willing to seek a ruling from the court.
Gizmodo asked for comment from the company, but they didn't reply immediately.
This week has been particularly difficult for the search engine. Just days after the search giant fell flat on its attempts to appeal a historic 4.3 billion-euro (around $4.3 billion) European Union antitrust fine, it was hit with a fine of its own. The suit claims that the consolidation of the operating system resulted in less consumer choice. The European Union's argument was upheld despite a slight decrease in the total penalty amount.
The court's decision was "disappointed" by the fact that "more choice for everyone, not less" has been created by the software, according to the company.
The statement from Meta has been added.
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