Meta, previously known as Facebook, has found itself at the centre of controversy once again, this time in the Netherlands.

Dutch privacy organisations, Data Privacy Stichting (DPS) and the Dutch Consumer’s Association (Consumentenbond) have taken the tech giant to court for alleged privacy infringements. 

The Dutch Consumer Association and DPS claim Meta processed the personal data of its Dutch users for advertising without their consent. As a result, the Foundation demands that consumers be appropriately compensated for the harmful consequences of the violation of their privacy rights.

The announcement comes four months after the European data regulator extended its ban, initially imposed by the Norwegian Data Protection Authority (NO DPA) on processing personal data for behavioural advertising on Facebook and Instagram.

Meta found guilty

In 2023, the Amsterdam court passed a ruling that Meta had been violating the privacy of Dutch users for a number of years. 

The court found that Meta had not provided sufficient information to users about how their data was being used, nor had they obtained permission to use the data for advertising purposes. 

The court also concluded that Meta had misled its users by withholding important information. As of now, Meta has still been found guilty of these violations.

For years, Meta has been sharing the personal data of Facebook and Instagram users with the United States without adequate protection against government surveillance, thereby violating their privacy rights.

The Irish regulator fined the company €1.2B for this. DPS and the Consumers’ Association also want compensation for users for these privacy violations.

The demand

The Foundation and Consumentenbond seek a court order requiring Meta to compensate consumers in the Netherlands for all harmful consequences. 

According to DPS, the demand is that “Meta pays €750 per Facebook user for the years of violation of Facebook users’ right to self-determination by processing their data for advertisements.” 

For the illegal transfer of data to the United States, the Foundation demands €500 for Facebook and Instagram users. In addition, the court is asked to pay Facebook users compensation for the value of their data from which Meta wrongfully profited.

Dutch consumers who had a Facebook account between April 1, 2010, and January 1, 2020, and wish to be eligible for compensation can register with the Consumers Association.