The Italian regulator for the protection of market competition (AGCM) announced that it imposed a new fine of 3.5 million euros on Meti for failing to manage useful accounts on Facebook and Instagram, highlighting the collection of personal data for commercial purposes and unclear information about the possibility of objecting to the suspension.
Instagram did not immediately inform users that it would collect their personal data for commercial purposes, the regulator explained in a statement published on Tuesday.
Meta did not specify whether it makes decisions on the suspension of user accounts on Instagram and Facebook based on automated or “human” analysis, AGCM emphasized, adding that users did not receive any information about the possibility of lodging complaints.
This means that they did not know whether they should file a complaint with a judge or an “out-of-court dispute resolution body”, the regulators explained, noting the short, 30-day deadline for filing complaints.
The company suspended the disputed practice during the regulatory review process, the regulators added.
Meta noted that it introduced changes for Italian users in August last year.
“We’ve made it even clearer how we use data to serve personalized ads on Instagram and offered users additional information and options to appeal a possible account suspension,” a company spokesperson said.
“We do not agree with the decision of the AGCM and we are studying possible measures,” he added.