Italy watchdog launches non-compliance proceedings against Facebook

Technology News January 24, 2020 / 1:47 PM / Updated 22 minutes ago Italy watchdog launches non-compliance proceedings against Facebook 1 Min Read FILE PHOTO: The logo of Facebook is seen in Davos, Switzerland Januar 20, 2020. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
By Reuters
Published: January 24, 2020 02:05 PM

MILAN, Jan 24: Italy’s competition watchdog has launched proceedings against Facebook for non-compliance with a previous request it had made regarding improper commercial practices in the group’s treatment of user data, the agency said on Friday.

The procedure could lead to a possible fine of up to 5 million euros ($5.6 million), it said in a statement.

In November 2018 the watchdog ruled that Facebook had not informed users properly about the collection and use, for commercial reasons, of the data they release.

It fined Facebook 5 million euros and asked it to publish an amending statement on the homepage of its website for Italy, on the Facebook app and on the personal page of each registered Italian user.

On Friday the regulator said Facebook had not done so.