New study: The advertising industry is systematically breaking EU law (forbrukerradet.no)

Article summary

A study by the Norwegian Consumer Council found that the online advertising industry is collecting and using personal data without proper consent, violating EU law. The study revealed that hundreds of entities receive personal data every time an app is used, which can be used for targeted advertising, discrimination, and exploitation. The council has filed complaints against several companies, including Grindr and Twitter's MoPub, for breaching the General Data Protection Regulation. The study's findings have sparked calls for authorities to investigate and take action against the online advertising industry.

Main themes

• online advertising
• data protection
• EU law
• GDPR compliance
• consumer rights
• digital surveillance

What commenters say

• The online advertising industry's collection and use of personal data is a clear violation of EU law and must be stopped.
• Smaller companies and startups may struggle to comply with GDPR regulations, and exemptions or exceptions should be considered.
• The CCPA in the US is a step in the right direction, but its effectiveness is limited by loopholes and the ability of companies to skirt the rules.
• GDPR compliance is not overly burdensome for companies that prioritize consumer privacy and data protection.
• The current system of online advertising is inherently exploitative and should be replaced with alternative models that prioritize consumer privacy.
• Companies that collect and use personal data without proper consent are putting profits over people's rights and freedoms.
• The enforcement of GDPR is too lenient, and authorities must take stronger action against companies that violate the regulation.
• The distinction between small and large companies is not always clear-cut, and exemptions or exceptions based on company size may be difficult to implement and enforce.