The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has recently proposed revisions to its 2020 privacy order with Meta, formerly known as Facebook, due to the company’s alleged failure to fully comply with the order. The FTC claimed that Facebook had deceived parents regarding their children’s ability to communicate through its Messenger Kids app and misrepresented the level of access given to private user data to some app developers. Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, accused Facebook of repeatedly violating its privacy promises and jeopardizing young users’ safety.
In light of these allegations, the proposed changes would prevent Meta from profiting from data collected from users under the age of 18 and impose other expanded restrictions, such as in the use of facial recognition technology. Meta would also be required to provide additional safeguards for users. This action is the first step in the process to amend the 2020 order, as the FTC has previously filed two complaints against Facebook for alleged privacy breaches. Meta has 30 days to respond to the proposed findings.
The Order to Show Cause issued by the Commission signals the start of a legal process where Meta can provide a response. Based on a thorough examination of the evidence and any presentations made by the concerned parties, the Commission will make a decision on whether the 2020 order should be altered due to changes in legal or factual conditions, and whether such modifications are in the public’s best interest. Reenah Kim, Evan Mendelson, and Olivia Jerjian from the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection are the primary attorneys handling this case.
News Source: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)