UK Regulator Validates Meta’s Ad Data Proposals
The competition watchdog in the UK has accepted the new Meta ad data rules. The big tech company proposed changes to the way it uses data from users who advertise on its social media platforms.
Reuters reported that earlier this year, Meta committed to restricting its use of ad customer data to keep it from gaining an unfair advantage.
Wide Consultation
For the Competition and Markets Authority, the decision to accept Meta’s UK ad data rules change wasn’t a direct one. The competition watchdog said it consulted interested parties on the proposals before making the decision.
“Having consulted advertisers and Facebook Marketplace users on the proposals, the CMA has concluded that the revisions go above and beyond the original commitments and would not leave any advertisers worse off. As a result, the CMA has accepted the proposed variation,” the watchdog said.
According to the Competition and Markets Authority, Meta has committed to allow advertisers to post ads on its Facebook marketplace. Meta will also allow advertisers to click an ‘opt out’ button on its platform if they don’t want the company to use it’s their data to improve its social platforms.
Opt-Out Option
The authority first launched investigations into Meta’s customer data usage in 2021. In its investigation, the CMA was checking whether Meat was having an unfair advantage over its competitors because of the way it collects and uses customer data.
In the proposed Meta ad data rules changes, the big tech has ensured that advertiser data from its Facebook platform will not be used without customer consent.
“The CMA has concluded that the revisions go above and beyond the original commitments and would not leave any advertisers worse off. As a result, the CMA has accepted the proposed variation,” the Authority added.
Meta isn’t the only big tech company that has committed not to use marketplace data from competitors. In 2023, Amazon.com committed to do the same to ensure a level playing field for its customers.
Multiple Lawsuits
Meta has been contending with data privacy lawsuits for several years now. Last month, a Court instructed the social media giant to make a $1.4 billion settlement in the Meta facial recognition lawsuit. Meta had been accused of capturing and using biometric data from millions of Texas residents without consent.
Meta has also been sued in 11 European countries following claims that the tech company will use personal data to train AI under its new privacy policy.
