A PYMNTS Company

Germany: Watchdog to order Facebook to end “some” of its user data collection

By  |  January 13, 2019

 

Facebook may face action from Germany’s antitrust watchdog. According to Reuters, the German antitrust watchdog is planning to order Facebook to stop gathering “some” user data.

The Federal Cartel Office, which is Germany’s national competition regulator, has been investigating Facebook for the last 4 years. The office is accusing Facebook of using its market dominance to collect data from its users without their knowledge or consent.

Now, the Federal Cartel Office says it will present its findings to Facebook and recommend a course of action. Facebook, however, is disputing the findings of the watchdog, Reuters reported.

According to Reuters, a Facebook spokeswoman said the company disputes the watchdog’s findings and will continue to defend this position.

The investigation is being closely watched amid mounting concerns over data leaks on tens of millions of Facebook users, as well as the use of social media by foreign powers seeking to influence elections in the United States.

Full Content: Reuters

Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.