Meta Platforms has reached a $31.85 million settlement with Australia’s privacy watchdog, concluding a long-running legal battle stemming from the Cambridge Analytica scandal. The settlement marks the largest-ever payment in Australia for privacy-related concerns.
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) had alleged that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, allowed the personal information of Australian users to be disclosed to the “This is Your Digital Life” personality quiz app, which was at the center of the Cambridge Analytica scandal.
The scandal, which came to light in 2018, involved the unauthorized harvesting and use of personal data from millions of Facebook users by Cambridge Analytica, a British consulting firm. The data was allegedly used for political advertising purposes.
The OAIC’s lawsuit against Meta began in 2020 and has involved numerous legal proceedings, including an unsuccessful appeal by Meta to the High Court of Australia. In 2023, the Federal Court of Australia ordered Meta and the OAIC to enter mediation, ultimately leading to the settlement announced this week.
The settlement represents a significant victory for the OAIC in its efforts to protect the privacy of Australian citizens. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible data-handling practices for technology companies operating in Australia.
Meta has agreed to the settlement without admitting liability, effectively closing a chapter on allegations related to its past practices. The company has emphasized its commitment to protecting user privacy and has implemented various measures to enhance data security and transparency in recent years.