Meta Platforms in crosshairs of South Korean privacy regulator over collection of personal data
By Jenny Lee ( July 22, 2022, 08:36 GMT | Insight) -- Another round of scrutiny has fallen on Meta Platforms from the South Korean privacy regulator, which is “closely looking into the company's policy of collecting personal data from its users.” The announcement from the Personal Information Protection Commission comes after Meta revised its privacy policy in late May and informed users that it would suspend their Facebook and Instagram accounts if they did not agree to its new privacy terms by July 26.Another round of scrutiny has fallen on Meta Platforms from the South Korean privacy regulator, which is “closely looking into the company's policy of collecting personal data from its users.” In a brief note to reporters, the Personal Information Protection Commission, or PIPC, said the focus of its examination is whether the personal information collected by Meta is essential to provide its services. “In the event that a legal violation is confirmed, we will take immediate action to protect the privacy of users' data,” the regulator said. Under South Korea’s privacy law, there is no problem collecting and using personal data after obtaining users’ permission. But a business operator cannot refuse to offer services on the grounds that a user is not willing to give personal information beyond what is required. The announcement from the PIPC comes after Meta revised its privacy policy in late May and informed users that it would suspend their Facebook and Instagram accounts if they did not agree to its new privacy terms by July 26. The company is seeking consent for the collection and use of users’ personal data and location data, and the sharing of that data with third parties and their overseas transfers. But amid a growing backlash against the move, the deadline has been pushed to Aug. 9. Since early last year, the PIPC has been investigating major digital advertising platforms that gather user behavior data for use in customized advertisements and the move announced today is part of that probe. Please email editors@mlex.com to contact the editorial staff regarding this story, or to submit the names of lawyers and advisers....
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