Italy fines Meta €805m over accessing users' photos

Italian regulators have fined social media giant Meta €805m (£670; $887m) for accessing Android users' photos without their specific consent. Italy's Data Protection Authority said Meta did not properly inform about 20 million smartphone users that it had access to their photos and videos via a feature of the Facebook app.

Facebook requested access to users' photo galleries through a single app-wide authorisation. According to the Italian regulator, a preceding notice did not make clear that this would also allow Facebook to generate suggestions based on photos in their gallery.

The regulator said it took into account "the high number of people affected" and the fact it is "still ongoing for those who have not updated the app and for those who have already given their consent to the system". Last month, Meta, which is also behind Instagram and WhatsApp, was hit with its largest fine ever for its business practices.