The Hungarian Competition Authority, the GVH, fined Facebook Ireland 3.6 million euros for alleged violations of the country’s competition law, the largest it has ever administered for a consumer protection case. While users do not have to pay to use Facebook’s services, the GVH found the tech company still receives financial benefits from users’ data. Facebook states on its homepage and Help Center that its services are free of charge; however, the GVH ruled these claims are untrue as the company gathered and sold user data for targeted advertisements. The GVH based its fine total on the advertising income Facebook Ireland obtained through Hungarian users.
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