Facebook Under Fire for Targeted Advertising About Orientation
Facebook may not use public data on sexual orientation for personal advertising, according to an opinion of Europe’s highest court.
According to Advocate General Athanasios Rantos of the European Court of Justice, this contradicts European privacy rules.
The case was initiated by Austrian lawyer and privacy activist Max Schrems. He received targeted advertising from Facebook after he publicly stated that he was gay without ever mentioning it on his profile.
The Austrian Supreme Court considered Schrems’ complaint and asked the EU court questions about the precise interpretation of European privacy legislation.
The final answer from the European Court of Justice is expected in the coming months. Advocate General Rantos’ opinion is not binding.