Complaints of "violating" Google and Facebook laws to protect user information

Complaints of "violating" Google and Facebook laws to protect user information

Complaints of "violating" Google and Facebook laws to protect user information

Authorities in the European Union (EU) have received several complaints of "violations" by Google, Facebook, Instagram and the Consumer Protection Act, hours after the law went into effect.

Complaints accuse these companies of forcing their customers to agree to receive targeted advertisements to allow them to continue as users.

"Users at these sites and applications do not have a free choice," said Max Shremes, a rights activist at Nuweib.

The group explained that these companies used the principle of imposing conditions on users in a "accept or leave" method.

If these complaints succeed, most websites will need to change their mode of operation or be fined.

The new law, which is in force in the EU, focuses on identifying ways in which sites and companies collect user data and means of use. Even if they are located outside the Union, they must comply with the law as long as the service is provided to users in these countries.

The Nuweib group points out that users of these sites are forced to agree to leave sites that collect their information and share it with other sites in order to receive advertisements on their accounts, otherwise they must cancel their accounts.

The group says the new law does not allow these companies to force their users to agree to these terms or their membership will be canceled.

"The new user data protection law allows data collection as long as it is required to provide the service, but these companies sell or use it for targeted advertising, which requires the free consent of users," it said in a statement.

"Most people do not know that the new law does not allow companies to force them to agree to new terms like this," Shremes said.

Authorities have received complaints from users and groups protecting the rights of citizens in Austria, Belgium, France and Germany under the new law.

Some companies operating from outside the European Union have suspended their work temporarily for fear of falling under the law, which could impose fines of up to $ 22 million.