South Korea’s privacy watchdog fines Google, Meta over privacy violations

South Korea’s privacy watchdog has fined Google and Meta a combined 100 billion won (USD 72 million) for tracking consumers’ online behavioUr without their consent and using their data for targeted advertisements.

South Korea’s Personal Information and Protection Commission said it fined Google 69.2 billion won (USD 50 million) and Meta 30.8 billion won (USD 22 million) after a meeting where officials agreed that the companies’ business practices might cause serious privacy infringements.

The fines were the biggest ever penalties imposed by South Korea for privacy law violations, the commission said in a press release.