European privacy officials widen ban on Meta's behavioral advertising to most of Europe

European officials have broadened a ban on Meta's "behavioral advertising" practices across most of Europe, media reports say. 

This move intensifies a growing conflict between the continent's privacy-conscious institutions and the American technology giant, according to a report from the Associated Press. Behavioral advertising, a widely used strategy by companies like Meta's Facebook and Instagram, involves the collection of individual behavioral data, including browsing habits, mouse clicks, and app usage, which is then used to create user profiles for targeted advertising.

The decision to expand the ban was made by the European Data Protection Board and signifies a significant escalation of a dispute that originally erupted in Norway. In Norway, privacy authorities had imposed daily fines of 1 million kroner, equivalent to approximately $90,000, on Meta for its unauthorized collection of user data without obtaining proper consent, the agency report says. These fines have been accruing since August 14th.

This development highlights the increasing tension between European regulators and Meta, emphasizing the importance of data privacy and protection in the digital age. European Union regulations, particularly the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), are aimed at safeguarding the privacy rights of individuals and necessitate clear and informed consent for the collection and utilization of personal data. The conflict underscores the challenges tech companies face when operating in regions with stringent data privacy laws.