In a statement by the Ireland’s data privacy regulator, its has agreed to fine a record levy of $402 million against social network Instagram following an investigation into its handling of children’s data. Though the social media giant plans to appeal against the fine, a spokesperson for its parent company, Meta, said in an emailed statement.
Focused on child users between the ages of 13 and 17, the investigation, which began in 2020 targeted users who were allowed to operate business accounts, which facilitated the publication of the user’s phone number and/or email address.
Though Instagram updated its settings over a year ago and has since released new features to keep teens safe and their information private, the Meta spokesperson said. We disagree with how the fine was calculated and we are carefully reviewing the decision, the spokesperson also said.
