South Korea's Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) has fined Meta Platforms approximately 21.62 billion won, equivalent to $15.67 million, for the unauthorized collection and sharing of sensitive data from nearly 1 million Facebook users.

The PIPC found that Meta had refused user requests for personal data access, claiming it was not required under local laws, a justification the commission deemed unjustified.

South Korea's privacy laws are particularly stringent regarding the handling of personal beliefs, political views, and lifestyle information, requiring explicit consent for data processing.

Following the investigation, Meta ceased the collection of sensitive data and deleted related advertising topics.

Despite these legal challenges, Meta is actively pursuing opportunities in the tech and defense sectors, partnering with Amazon and Microsoft to utilize its Llama AI models for national security applications.

The commission's investigation revealed that Meta provided this sensitive data to around 4,000 advertisers for targeted advertising, leveraging users' behavioral information.

The investigation also uncovered that users were categorized inappropriately, with some being labeled as North Korean defectors or identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community.

In addition to the fine, the PIPC has mandated that Meta establish a legal basis for processing sensitive information and improve its safety measures.

The ruling underscores that foreign companies must comply with South Korea's data protection laws when handling sensitive information, and the PIPC will monitor Meta's adherence to these regulations.

Meta's South Korean office has stated it will carefully review the PIPC's decision, suggesting the possibility of an appeal or compliance measures.

This incident adds to Meta's history of data privacy issues, which includes previous fines in Norway and involvement in the Cambridge Analytica scandal.

On November 5, 2024, Meta's stock closed at $572.43, reflecting a 2.10% increase for the day, although it experienced a slight decline in after-hours trading.