Facebook advertisers use user’s sensitive information to display ads
People are able to manage their ad preferences tool, which clearly explains how Facebook for Ecommerce works on Facebook and provides a way to tell us if you want to see ads based on specific interests or not. When interests are removed, we show people the list of removed interests so that they have a record they can access, but these interests are no longer used for ads. A survey conducted by theguardian and the Danish Broadcasting Corporation found that the Facebook platform allows advertisers to advertise to users based on their personal political information, sexual behavior, and religious beliefs.
According to the current EU data protection laws and the European Union’s “General Data Protection Regulations” that will come into effect on May 25, this information is sensitive information.
A survey conducted jointly by the two companies found that Facebook uses the user’s sensitive personal information to allow advertisers to post advertisements based on their personal interests. According to relevant laws, Facebook needs to obtain explicit user consent before using user-sensitive information.
Of course, Facebook can claim that the information it collects about user intimacy/interest, even if it contains sensitive information such as sexual acts and religious beliefs, does not belong to personal information. In response to two media investigations, a Facebook spokesperson stated in a statement.
“People are able to manage their ad preferences tool, which clearly explains how advertising works on Facebook and provides a way to tell us if you want to see ads based on specific interests or not. When interests are removed, we show people the list of removed interests so that they have a record they can access, but these interests are no longer used for ads. Our advertising complies with relevant EU law and, like other companies, we are preparing for the GDPR to ensure we are compliant when it comes into force.”
Facebook or so was recently sued. Previously, insiders said that the “General Data Protection Regulations” was launched for Facebook. According to this regulation, illegal companies may be fined equivalent to 4% of global revenue.
The Universal Data Protection Regulations are one of the reasons why Facebook’s advertising business is facing more scrutiny. The recent explosion of Cambridge data analysis scandals is another reason.
Facebook publishes advertisements by collecting user information, but according to the EU’s current and future data protection framework, companies need to obtain explicit user consent when collecting and processing user-specific data. This means that when collecting and processing sensitive data, Facebook needs to ensure that user consent is obtained in advance, for example through pop-up windows.
Facebook claims that its core business is social media rather than collecting and processing user data for operating microtargeted advertising platforms. According to industry insiders, if Facebook puts it into practice, why does it bundle social services with ad targeting? Can’t users enjoy social services if they don’t accept accurate ads?
