Overview

• The Court of Justice of the European Union sided with privacy activist Max Schrems, ruling that Meta cannot use sensitive personal data for advertising without user consent.
• The ruling emphasizes the principle of 'data minimization' under the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), limiting how long and what type of data can be used for ads.
• Meta has been accused of targeting ads based on user data collected both on and off its platforms, a practice now deemed unlawful by the EU court.
• Schrems' case highlights the potential risks of using sensitive data for targeted ads, particularly for LGBTQ+ individuals in areas where they may face discrimination.
• Meta claims it takes privacy seriously and has invested significantly in privacy measures, but the ruling mandates stricter adherence to data protection laws.