Noyb.eu: “Since the beginning of November, Instagram and Facebook users who don’t want to be tracked have to pay a “privacy fee” of up to € 251.88 per year. While one (free) click is enough to consent to being tracked, users can only withdraw their consent by going through the complicated process of switching to a paid subscription. This is illegal, as the GDPR clearly states that withdrawing your consent must be “as easy as” giving it. In addition to a previous noyb complaint relating to the consent phase of the “pay or okay” system, noyb has filed an additional complaint with the Austrian data protection authority today to take into account the withdrawal situation.

• Complaint against Meta on the withdrawal issue (EN)
• Previous complaint relating to the consent phase (EN – Machine translation)

Meta’s latest attempt to circumvent EU privacy laws. It has merely been six months since the European Court of Justice (CJEU) ruled that Meta’s handling of user data was illegal. Yet the social media giant has launched its third attempt to circumvent European privacy laws. Instead of asking users for their consent, Meta is now charging people for choosing a privacy-friendly setting. As of the beginning of November 2023, it costs up to €251.88 a year to maintain your fundamental right to data protection on Facebook and Instagram. Users who don’t want to pay will have to accept being tracked for targeted advertising. noyb has already filed a complaint against this approach in November 2023. Meta’s latest attempt to circumvent EU privacy laws. It has merely been six months since the European Court of Justice (CJEU) ruled that Meta’s handling of user data was illegal. Yet the social media giant has launched its third attempt to circumvent European privacy laws. Instead of asking users for their consent, Meta is now charging people for choosing a privacy-friendly setting. As of the beginning of November 2023, it costs up to €251.88 a year to maintain your fundamental right to data protection on Facebook and Instagram. Users who don’t want to pay will have to accept being tracked for targeted advertising. noyb has already filed a complaint against this approach in November 2023.”