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Italy slaps Meta with €805mn fine over access to Android photos
Italy’s data protection agency has fined Meta €805 million for allegedly accessing Italian Android users’ photos and videos through Facebook without specific consent or adequate information. The penalty is the largest Italy has imposed on a major technology company and amounts to 0.4% of Meta’s annual turnover.
The agency says Facebook’s camera roll suggestions feature selects images from users’ personal galleries for possible posting. Meta has 60 days to disable the feature and request separate permission; regulators say the issue is ongoing for some users and affected a high number of people. The investigation began in July 2025, and Meta has not commented, though it could appeal.
In short
- Italy fined Meta €805 million over Facebook’s photo suggestions feature.
- Regulators say users lacked clear information and specific consent.
- Meta has 60 days to disable the feature and seek permission.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The regulator’s case is that private photos and videos are sensitive personal data, so selecting them for possible Facebook posts requires clear information and specific consent. A substantial fine and a requirement to seek separate permission could protect users’ control over their images and encourage platforms to build privacy safeguards into their features.
The case against
Meta could argue that suggesting camera-roll images is a useful feature when users choose to share photos, and that its operation may not amount to publishing or otherwise misusing them. A large penalty and a rapid disabling requirement could be disproportionate if users were given meaningful controls or if the feature’s privacy risks can be addressed more narrowly; an appeal would allow those questions and the legal basis for the fine to be tested.
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