Meta to Pay $50M in Landmark Australian Privacy Settlement
Meta has agreed to establish a $50 million payment program to resolve a long-standing legal proceeding in Australia related to the misuse of user data for political advertising. The settlement, announced by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), stems from the infamous 2018 Cambridge Analytica scandal.
Key Details of the Settlement
- Scope: The settlement addresses allegations that 300,000+ Australian Facebook users had their data improperly harvested by a third-party developer.
- Legal Background: The OAIC initially filed the lawsuit in March 2020, seeking damages for affected users.
- Resolution: Meta agreed to an enforceable undertaking, ending civil penalty proceedings without admitting liability.
What the Settlement Means for Users
Under the agreement:
- Eligible Facebook users may file claims if they suffered privacy-related losses or damages.
- The payment program is the largest of its kind in Australia, according to Information Commissioner Elizabeth Tydd.
Statements from Key Parties
- OAIC: Commissioner Tydd emphasized the settlement provides “an opportunity for redress” while avoiding prolonged litigation.
- Meta: Spokesperson Matthew Pollard stated the company settled on a no-admission basis, calling the allegations “past practices” irrelevant to current operations.
Broader Implications
This case highlights:
- The long-term legal fallout from the Cambridge Analytica scandal.
- Increasing global scrutiny of tech giants over data privacy violations.
- Australia’s proactive stance in enforcing user privacy rights.
For further details, refer to the OAIC’s official announcement.
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