Meta Data Fine: Reaction From Data Industry

Tim Bowes, Associate Director at the consultancy Dufrain, comments on the news that Meta is hit with record €1.2bn fine over EU-US data transfers:

“In a fitting lead up to the anniversary of GDPR, today’s record-breaking fine for Meta should signal to all companies that no-one is immune from regulatory scrutiny! It’s simply not enough for companies to consider themselves compliant where they are headquartered – the transfer of data to regions with different privacy laws needs due consideration and pleading ignorance or blaming how data is stored or used won’t fly.

“Aside from legal measures such as implementing standard contractual clauses, practical measures companies can take to avoid non-compliance include completing a stringent data audit to identify what personal data is collected, where it is stored and how it is used. It is equally vital that appropriate security measures such as encryption and regular audits take place to ensure ongoing compliance. Not only this, but companies need to make sure they have clear and transparent processes in place for obtaining valid consent from individuals for the collection and use of their personal data.”