Facebook's $15 Million Fine: A Wake-Up Call for Personal Data Protection in South Korea

Tuesday, 5 November 2024, 15:08

Facebook's recent $15 million fine marks a pivotal moment in personal data protection in South Korea. This hefty penalty stems from illicit collection of sensitive personal data, including users' political views and sexual orientation. As scrutiny intensifies, this incident reflects the ongoing struggle for user privacy against corporate data practices.
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Facebook's $15 Million Fine: A Wake-Up Call for Personal Data Protection in South Korea

Facebook's Personal Data Controversy

Facebook, under the parent company Meta, was slapped with a $15 million fine by South Korea's privacy watchdog for illegally collecting sensitive personal information from its users. The fine amounts to 21.6 billion won, highlighting a rigorous enforcement of privacy laws.

Details of the Investigation

  • Investigation lasted four years, uncovering unlawful data collection practices from July 2018 to March 2022.
  • Data included sensitive information on approximately 980,000 Facebook users.
  • Facebook shared this data with around 4,000 advertisers.

Implications for User Privacy

This incident serves as a pivotal reminder about the importance of data privacy. South Korea's privacy laws demand strict adherence to user consent, especially concerning sensitive data related to personal beliefs and political views.

The Broader Context

As scrutiny of Facebook's data practices continues to grow, this fine may inspire stronger regulations and heightened awareness about personal data rights. This situation demonstrates the ongoing challenge of balancing corporate data interests and user privacy in the digital age.


This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.


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