Meta faces €200 million fine for controversial data consent model

In late 2023, Meta was fined €200 million (approximately $228 million) by EU regulators for implementing a controversial data consent model that required users of Facebook and Instagram to either consent to their data being used for personalized advertising or pay a monthly fee. This model mirrored the business strategy Meta employs in the U.S., which has raised regulatory concerns in Europe regarding user data privacy and consent. The hefty fine underscores the growing scrutiny placed upon tech companies by regulators in the EU, seeking to enforce stricter compliance with data protection laws. Moreover, the survey conducted by Salesforce revealed a concerning trend among business leaders. In 2023, only 54% of surveyed executives found their data reliable, while 49% deemed it accurate, and merely 34% considered it complete. This indicates a declining confidence among business leaders in the quality of their data, contrasting sharply with their sentiments two years prior. The increased reliance on data for decision-making is prompting companies to invest in training programs to help leaders navigate the vast data landscape effectively. As businesses respond to the ever-increasing reliance on data and technology, there is also a burgeoning interest in no-code platforms. Creatio CEO, Katerina Kostereva, emphasized that modern workflows and user interfaces should leverage either no-code or AI solutions. No-code tools have gained momentum as they allow non-developers to create functional applications without needing extensive coding knowledge. However, this trend also raises concerns about governance and compliance, as organizations must ensure that the democratization of development does not lead to oversight issues. In the technical sphere, issues related to data privacy and user consent continue to evolve, with companies like Microsoft developing features such as Recall AI, which captures screenshots of user activity for better task management. However, this raises questions regarding transparency and user consent, similar to the challenges faced by Meta in its advertising strategy. Overall, the intersection of technology, data management, and regulatory compliance remains a dynamic and challenging environment for organizations worldwide.