Facebook Gets the Consent Drill—Only for EU & Canada!
The social media titan has put the spotlight on privacy—specifically for users in the EU and Canada. Starting next month, the platform will ask for your permission before it can target ads, store sensitive data, or run its facial‑scan algorithms on your profile.
What’s Really Changing?
- Targeted advertising – No more sneaky, automatic campaign building without your say.
- Sensitive data handling – Only after you’ve confirmed you’re cool with it.
- Facial recognition – The tech will now be flagged as “needs consent” when it’s used.
Facebook’s top execs, Erin Egan and Ashlie Beringer, let it be clear in their blog post that they’re not pushing new collection powers, but simply tightening the reins to satisfy the EU’s stringent General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). And, they reaffirm that they’re not selling your info to advertisers or other partners.
Why the Sudden Shift?
After the Cambridge Analytica fallout and a fresh class‑action over face‑scan usage in the U.S., Facebook has had to buckle down. The move is a legislative nod—meeting GDPR’s “consent” demand—while also easing the friction with users who have grown wary of data mining.
In Seattle, folks have already told the “data‑hungry” platform to stop using facial‑recognition tech without a clear “yes!” Their lawsuit in the U.S. was a reality check, and the company seems to be rolling out its playbook elsewhere.
All Eyes on Consent
Think of it as a privacy “permission pop‑up” that makes sure you’re in the driver’s seat. Not the same as a “no‑sell” guarantee, but a step toward a more respectful data culture—no other country is listed yet, but the EU & Canada users get the first round.
