Ireland’s data privacy regulator has fined Instagram following an investigation into its handling of children’s data. Regulators agreed to levy a record fine of 405 million euros (A$592) against Instagram. However, Instagram’s owner, Meta, said it will appeal the decision. Meanwhile, Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioner said, ‘’we adopted our final decision last Friday and it does contain a fine of €405m [£349m],”
The complaint against social media was concerned with children’s data particularly email addresses and phone numbers.
Children between the ages of 13 and 17 business accounts
The investigation against the giant social media started in 2020 to protect children. Since then Instagram has updated its setting and released new features to keep information private.
Meanwhile, Andy Burrows National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) child-safety-online policy head said of Instagram’s fine: “This was a major breach that had significant safeguarding implications. Also, the potential to cause real harm to children using Instagram.
“The ruling demonstrates how effective enforcement can protect children on social media and underlines how regulation is already making children safer online. It’s now over to the new prime minister to keep the promise to give children the strongest possible protections by delivering the Online Safety Bill in full and without delay.”
Anyone under 18 automatically has their account set to private
Talking to BBC news Meta official said, “This inquiry focused on old settings that we updated over a year ago and we’ve since released many new features to help keep teens’ information private.
“Anyone under 18 automatically has their account set to private. When they join Instagram, so only people they know can see what they post. Adults can’t message teens who don’t follow them.
“While we’ve engaged fully with the DPC throughout their inquiry. We disagree with how this fine was calculated and intend to appeal it.
“We’re continuing to carefully review the rest of the decision.”