Meta hit with record €1.3 billion fine for violating EU data privacy rules

The fine and accompanying ruling require Meta to stop transferring data collected from Facebook users in Europe to the United States.

However, Meta has announced its intention to appeal the ruling, setting the stage for a potentially lengthy legal battle.

The penalty comes as a result of Meta's failure to comply with a 2020 decision by the European Union's highest court, which stated that data transferred from Facebook users in Europe to the United States was not adequately protected from American surveillance agencies.

Meanwhile, negotiations are underway between European Union and American officials to establish a new data-sharing agreement that would provide legal protections for companies like Meta to continue transferring information between the two regions. If such an agreement is reached, it could undermine the impact of the European Union's ruling against Meta. A preliminary deal was announced last year.

It's worth noting that the ruling specifically applies to Facebook and does not encompass other platforms owned by Meta, such as Instagram and WhatsApp. Meta has assured users that there will be no immediate disruption to Facebook's service in the European Union.