BeReal Accused of GDPR Violations Over Ad Tracking Consent
Popular Gen Z photo-sharing app BeReal is under fire in the European Union following a privacy complaint alleging it uses manipulative tactics to pressure users into accepting ad tracking. The complaint, filed by European privacy rights nonprofit noyb, claims BeReal violates GDPR standards requiring consent to be “freely given.”
The Core of the Complaint
Since its acquisition by French mobile games publisher Voodoo in mid-2024, BeReal changed how it requests user consent for tracking. While the app initially presents a seemingly balanced consent banner, noyb argues the post-interaction experience is unfairly skewed:
- For users who refuse tracking: The banner reappears daily when attempting to post
- For users who accept tracking: The pop-up disappears permanently
“This is a classic dark pattern,” noyb stated in its official complaint. “BeReal seems unable to accept rejection when it comes to Europeans’ privacy rights.”
What Makes This a GDPR Violation?
Lisa Steinfeld, a data protection lawyer at noyb, explains:
“The GDPR makes it crystal clear that consent is only valid if it’s freely given. BeReal’s continuous prompting tactics wear users down until they potentially give in - exactly what the regulation prohibits.”
The complaint references 2022 EDPB guidelines that specifically warn against:
- Repeated consent requests (“continuous prompting”)
- Interface designs that make refusal more burdensome than acceptance
- Any tactic that could fatigue users into compliance
Potential Consequences for BeReal
noyb has filed the complaint with CNIL, France’s data protection authority, requesting:
- Immediate revision of BeReal’s consent mechanism
- Deletion of all data collected through this non-compliant process
- Potential GDPR fines (which can reach 4% of global annual turnover)
Why This Matters for EU Users
This case highlights:
- The ongoing enforcement of GDPR’s consent requirements
- How even popular apps may attempt to circumvent privacy protections
- Users’ rights to persistent refusal of tracking without harassment
TechCrunch has reached out to Voodoo for comment. The outcome could set important precedents for how social platforms implement consent mechanisms under EU law.
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