Google, Facebook face nearly 9 billion dollar lawsuits on day 1 of GDPR
A new European data privacy law called the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into effect on May 25, and just hours later Facebook and Google are already facing collective lawsuits of $8.8 billion for failing to comply with it.
The lawsuits have been filed by Austrian lawyer and long-time critic of data collection practices Max Schrems on products like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Google’s Android OS.
With regard to privacy, Google, Facebook and Facebook-owned WhatsApp and Instagram are forcing people to adopt a “take it or leave it” approach which essentially amounts to demanding that users submit to intrusive terms of service, according to the the Austrian privacy-advocacy group Noyb.eu, CNET reported on Friday.
“Tonnes of ‘consent boxes’ popped up online or in applications, often combined with a threat, that the service can no longer be used if user (s) do not consent,” the group was quoted as saying in a statement.
The group is asking regulators in France, Belgium, Germany and Austria to fine the companies up to the maximum four per cent of their annual revenue that the GDPR legislation allows.
