Facebook’s business model relies on collecting as much of our data as possible to monetize it via advertising. That’s why, no matter how many times the company has faced privacy controversies, it continues to track users and nonusers alike around the web. However, all that is reportedly about to change. According to a bombshell report from the Wall Street Journal this week, Meta is poised to finally allow Facebook and Instagram users in Europe to opt out of data tracking.

Of course, Facebook isn’t doing this out of the kindness of its heart. Instead, the European Union has forced the social media giant’s hand by levying heft fines against it if it doesn’t provide users with this opt-out option. Also, the company reportedly plans to make it difficult for users to accomplish this.

“Users who wish to opt out will have to submit an online form objecting to Meta’s use of their in-app activity for ads, and the company will then evaluate any user’s objection before implementing the change,” the Wall Street Journal report said. “That could limit the effect of the change to Meta’s advertising business, and fall short of satisfying at least some regulators and privacy activists.”

It can’t be understated what a significant win this would be for user privacy in Europe. Here’s hoping American regulators can one day force the company to do something similar here.

Recommended Resources

Choose what the experts use: award-winning cybersecurity you can trust and rely on.

Surf the web truly incognito. Try Bitdefender Premium VPN, the ultra-fast VPN that keeps your online identity and activities safe from hackers, ISPs and snoops.

System Mechanic 14 – Make your computer run like new. Winner of 200+ Editor’s Choice awards!