Italy’s data protection authority has fined Meta Platforms 805 million euros ($887 million) for accessing Android users’ photos and videos without proper consent. The agency has ordered Meta to disable the feature by default and obtain explicit user permission.
Meta plans to appeal the decision, calling the fine disproportionate and asserting that users must grant permission for the feature to operate.
Italy Slams Meta with $887 Million Fine for Unauthorized Android User Data Access
By Reuters
In a significant regulatory action, Italy's data protection agency has levied an 805 million euro ($887 million) fine against Meta Platforms. The penalty stems from Meta's alleged unauthorized access to the photographs and videos of Android users. The agency determined that Meta's Facebook app had been accessing this personal data without first obtaining explicit consent or adequately informing users.
A worker stands inside the Meta Lab in Los Angeles, California, May 20, 2026. Photo: Daniel Cole | Reuters
The contentious feature, which suggested content from users' personal galleries for posting on Facebook, was flagged by the authority. Meta has been given a 60-day ultimatum to disable this feature by default and implement a system that seeks user consent independently before accessing their media.
A spokesperson for Meta expressed strong disagreement with the Italian authority's ruling, labeling the fine as "disproportionate" and indicating the company's intent to appeal. "This is a simple feature that helps people share photos and videos on Facebook. Users must grant permission on their device before the feature can operate, and they can change that permission at any time in their settings," the spokesperson stated.
The investigation, initiated in 2025, did not delve into the potential use of such data for training artificial intelligence models, a practice Meta has reportedly denied. Furthermore, the Italian agency has reserved the right to conduct a separate assessment of a newer feature, introduced in 2026, which involves processing gallery content in the cloud.
The substantial fine represents approximately 0.47% of Meta's global revenue. It is estimated that around 20 million Android users in Italy were affected by this data access issue.
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