The Belgian court gave Facebook 48 hours to stop tracking internet users in Belgium who don’t have Facebook account, or the company could face a daily fine of 250,000 EUR ((£180,000).
Even if the user does not have a Facebook account, the cookie will be installed when that person visits a Facebook page. Willem Debeuckelaere, president of the Belgium commission described that practice as “disrespectful”.
“The judge ruled that this is personal data, which Facebook can only use if the internet user expressly gives their consent, as Belgian privacy law dictates,” the court said in a statement.
Facebook has used the cookie the last five years, but the court has given the company 48 hours to remove it, and to comply. If the social media giant fails to remove it, it could face a daily fine that goes all the way up to 250,000 EUR (£180,000).
Facebook will appeal, and the company confirmed that.
“We’ve used the Datr cookie for more than five years to keep Facebook secure for 1.5 billion people around the world,” Facebook spokesperson said.
“We will appeal this decision and are working to minimise any disruption to people’s access to Facebook in Belgium.”
Source: Daily Express
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