April 18, 2024 at 08:27AM
The EU’s Data Protection Board advises against large online platforms offering a choice between paying for a service and consenting to personal data use for targeted advertising. This arises from complaints and requests by various data protection authorities. The EDPB opinion questions the validity of the “pay or okay” model introduced by Meta, with continued debate on compliance with EU laws.
From the meeting notes, it is indicated that the EU’s Data Protection Board (EDPB) has expressed concerns about large online platforms offering users a binary choice between paying for a service or consenting to the use of their personal data for targeted advertising. The EDPB opinion addresses the validity of processing personal data for behavioral advertising under “consent or pay” models, as introduced by Meta, owner of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
The EDPB states that most users consent to data processing without understanding the full implications, and it may not comply with legal requirements for valid consent if users are only given a binary choice. Meta, on the other hand, contends that its subscription model for ad-free services is a legally valid way to seek consent for personalized advertising and complies with EU laws.
Complaints have been lodged by consumer and privacy organizations against Meta’s “pay or okay” model, asserting that it breaches data protection principles under the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). These include complaints filed by the privacy activist group noyb and consumer groups, arguing that Meta’s model infringes on principles such as purpose limitation, data minimization, fair processing, and transparency.
In conclusion, the meeting notes highlight the contentious issue of user consent and the use of personal data for targeted advertising, showcasing differing perspectives from the EDPB, Meta, and consumer and privacy organizations. The potential impact on Meta’s services and its engagement with the Irish Data Protection Commission are also noted as areas of ongoing interest.