The National Data Protection Authority of Brazil (ANPD), a public institution that regulates and oversees the data of Brazilian online users and is linked to the Ministry of Justice, has ordered Meta to immediately suspend its new privacy policy regarding the use of data without consent to train its artificial intelligence.
The new terms of use allowed Zuckerberg's company to utilize the data of Brazilian users, both on Facebook and Instagram, in texts and images. The ANPD has focused on this issue, issuing a preventive measure on Tuesday, July 2, to suspend the use and impose a daily fine of 50,000 reais (around 8.800 dollars) in case of non-compliance "due to an imminent risk of serious and irreparable or difficult-to-repair damage to the fundamental rights of the affected data subjects," according to a press release from the institution.
In the same statement, the ANPD indicated that Meta had made "use of an inappropriate legal hypothesis for the processing of personal data; the failure to disclose clear, precise, and easily accessible information about the change in the privacy policy and the processing carried out; excessive limitations on the exercise of the rights of the data subjects; and the processing of personal data of children and adolescents without adequate safeguards."
The ANPD stated that it has evidence of Meta's non-compliance with the General Data Protection Law and has given Meta five business days to comply with this measure.
Strike Two for Meta
This is the second time Meta has been warned by a regulatory body. In June, Meta attempted to use European user data to train its AI and had to backtrack due to negative repercussions and obstacles imposed by the EU.
This series of regulatory challenges highlights the growing scrutiny and legal hurdles that Meta faces globally concerning its data privacy practices. The ANPD's decisive action underscores the importance of stringent data protection measures and the enforcement of user rights in the digital age. Meta's compliance with these regulations will be closely watched in the coming days.
