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In the long-running case where the Belgian Privacy Commission demanded the website stop the use of cookies that enabled it to track users outside of Facebook, the social media company has successfully overturned a decision blocking it from using such “datr” cookies
A few months ago, the court ordered Facebook to stop tracking and registering online usage by Belgian users. The company appealed on the grounds that the country does not have the authority to regulate Facebook, because the company’s European base of operations is in Ireland, and won. The appeals court also denied the claim that the case was urgent and required expedited procedure.
Of course, Facebook was very happy with the decision and was going to bring all its services back online for people in the country. In the meantime, the Belgian privacy watchdog said that such decision meant that Belgian citizens couldn’t obtain the protection of their private lives when it concerned foreign parties.
The Belgian Privacy Commission brought the case in question a year ago, where it accused the social media giant of indiscriminately tracking users through its datr cookies when they visited Facebook pages or “liked” or “shared” the publications, even if they were not logged in to Facebook. The privacy watchdog claimed that tracking users without their permission violated European privacy law.
In response, Facebook explained that such cookies protect users from having their accounts hacked. The watchdog announced it would look into launching a final appeal with the court of cassation. The latter is able to revoke previous judgments but not deliver new ones. The court of cassation has previously overruled the court of appeal on matters of jurisdiction over foreign companies.
Sourced from torrentfreak
A few months ago, the court ordered Facebook to stop tracking and registering online usage by Belgian users. The company appealed on the grounds that the country does not have the authority to regulate Facebook, because the company’s European base of operations is in Ireland, and won. The appeals court also denied the claim that the case was urgent and required expedited procedure.
Of course, Facebook was very happy with the decision and was going to bring all its services back online for people in the country. In the meantime, the Belgian privacy watchdog said that such decision meant that Belgian citizens couldn’t obtain the protection of their private lives when it concerned foreign parties.
The Belgian Privacy Commission brought the case in question a year ago, where it accused the social media giant of indiscriminately tracking users through its datr cookies when they visited Facebook pages or “liked” or “shared” the publications, even if they were not logged in to Facebook. The privacy watchdog claimed that tracking users without their permission violated European privacy law.
In response, Facebook explained that such cookies protect users from having their accounts hacked. The watchdog announced it would look into launching a final appeal with the court of cassation. The latter is able to revoke previous judgments but not deliver new ones. The court of cassation has previously overruled the court of appeal on matters of jurisdiction over foreign companies.
Sourced from torrentfreak