[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-slug_blog_3_1":3,"blog-slug_blog_meta-fined-102-million-by-the-irish-data-protection-commission_1000_1":40},{"article":4,"articles":15,"meta":33,"languages":39},{"id":5,"title":6,"excerpt":7,"locale":8,"slug":9,"authorSlug":10,"automaticTranslated":11,"publishedAt":12,"updatedAt":13,"doFollowLinks":11,"showIndex":11,"showCallToActions":11,"articleType":14},3060,"The EU wants to kill cookie banners","The EU wants to end annoying cookie pop-ups by letting users set their consent once in their browser. If passed, websites will have to respect those choices.","en","the-eu-wants-to-kill-cookie-banners-by-moving-consent-to-your-browser","iron-brands",false,"2025-11-20T05:40:14.356Z","2025-11-20T06:13:15.812Z","blog",[4,16,26],{"id":17,"title":18,"excerpt":19,"locale":8,"slug":20,"authorSlug":10,"automaticTranslated":11,"publishedAt":21,"updatedAt":22,"ctaTitle":23,"ctaDescription":24,"doFollowLinks":11,"showIndex":25,"showCallToActions":11,"articleType":14},3019,"Google is tracking you (even when you use DuckDuckGo)","Google tracks users even on DuckDuckGo via Analytics and embeds. A new study shows how deep Google’s web tracking really goes.","google-is-tracking-you-even-when-you-use-duck-duck-go","2025-07-14T08:56:41.709Z","2025-07-14T11:26:01.386Z","If you care about privacy, you don't use Google Analytics","Ditch the tracking, keep the insights. Try Simple Analytics.",true,{"id":27,"title":28,"excerpt":29,"locale":8,"slug":30,"authorSlug":10,"automaticTranslated":11,"publishedAt":31,"updatedAt":32,"doFollowLinks":11,"showIndex":11,"showCallToActions":11,"articleType":14},3018," German court rules Meta’s tracking tech violates GDPR","German court rules Meta’s tracking tech violates GDPR, allowing lawsuits without proof of harm. Big risks ahead for sites using Meta pixels.","german-court-rules-meta-s-tracking-tech-violates-gdpr","2025-07-10T08:20:51.111Z","2025-07-10T12:16:26.327Z",{"pagination":34},{"page":35,"pageSize":36,"pageCount":37,"total":38},1,3,362,1084,{},{"article":41},{"contentHtml":42,"content":43,"inlineMedia":44,"id":46,"title":47,"excerpt":48,"locale":8,"slug":49,"authorSlug":10,"automaticTranslated":11,"publishedAt":50,"updatedAt":51,"doFollowLinks":11,"showIndex":11,"showCallToActions":11,"articleType":14,"languages":52},"\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>TLDR:\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>Meta fined $102 million by the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) for storing user passwords in >plain text.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>The breach involved up to 600 million passwords, some accessible to over 20,000 employees.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Meta failed to promptly notify the DPC and lacked proper security measures, violating GDPR rules.\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\u003C/blockquote>\n\u003CContentEditable  parent=\"\" tag=\"p\" :articleId=\"2498\">\u003Ca referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" href=\"https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/meta-fined-102-million-for-storing-passwords-in-plain-text-110049679.html?utm_source=simpleanalytics.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Read the full article here.\u003C/a>\u003C/ContentEditable>\n\u003CContentEditable  parent=\"\" tag=\"p\" :articleId=\"2498\">In a significant privacy lapse, Meta has been fined $102 million by the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) for storing user passwords in plain text. \u003C/ContentEditable>\n\u003CContentEditable  parent=\"\" tag=\"p\" :articleId=\"2498\">This breach, affecting potentially up to 600 million users, highlights serious concerns about data security practices at one of the world's largest tech companies.\u003C/ContentEditable>\n\u003CContentEditable  id=\"so-what-happend\" parent=\"\" tag=\"h2\" :articleId=\"2498\">So... what happend\u003C/ContentEditable>\n\u003CContentEditable  parent=\"\" tag=\"p\" :articleId=\"2498\">The issue dates back to 2019 when Meta discovered that user passwords were being stored in plain text on its servers, a practice that violates basic security protocols. Initially, the company acknowledged the problem but later revealed that millions of Instagram passwords were also compromised. Some of these passwords had been stored in this vulnerable format since 2012 and were accessible to over 20,000 employees, though there was no evidence of external access.\u003C/ContentEditable>\n\u003CContentEditable  parent=\"\" tag=\"p\" :articleId=\"2498\">The DPC's investigation concluded that Meta violated several GDPR regulations by failing to:\u003C/ContentEditable>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>Promptly notify the DPC of the breach.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Document the breach adequately.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Implement appropriate technical measures to secure user passwords.\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\u003CContentEditable  parent=\"\" tag=\"p\" :articleId=\"2498\">These failures underscore a lack of due diligence in protecting user data.\u003C/ContentEditable>\n\u003CContentEditable  id=\"impact-and-implications\" parent=\"\" tag=\"h2\" :articleId=\"2498\">Impact and Implications\u003C/ContentEditable>\n\u003CContentEditable  parent=\"\" tag=\"p\" :articleId=\"2498\">This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust data security measures. For users, it raises concerns about the safety of personal information entrusted to major platforms. For companies, it highlights the necessity of adhering to data protection laws like GDPR to avoid substantial fines and reputational damage.\u003C/ContentEditable>\n\u003CContentEditable  parent=\"\" tag=\"p\" :articleId=\"2498\">The fine imposed on Meta reflects the seriousness of the breach and serves as a warning to other organizations about the consequences of inadequate data protection practices.\u003C/ContentEditable>\n\u003CContentEditable  id=\"final-thoughts\" parent=\"\" tag=\"h2\" :articleId=\"2498\">Final Thoughts\u003C/ContentEditable>\n\u003CContentEditable  parent=\"\" tag=\"p\" :articleId=\"2498\">This case illustrates the critical need for companies to prioritize data security and comply with privacy regulations. As users, it's essential to be aware of how our data is handled and to choose services that respect our privacy. \u003C/ContentEditable>\n\u003CContentEditable  parent=\"\" tag=\"p\" :articleId=\"2498\">At \u003CNuxtLink to=\"/\"  >Simple Analytics\u003C/NuxtLink>, we are committed to providing a straightforward, privacy-friendly alternative to traditional analytics platforms, ensuring your data remains secure and private. \u003C/ContentEditable>\n",">**TLDR:**\n>- Meta fined $102 million by the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) for storing user passwords in >plain text.\n>- The breach involved up to 600 million passwords, some accessible to over 20,000 employees.\n>- Meta failed to promptly notify the DPC and lacked proper security measures, violating GDPR rules.\n\n[Read the full article here.](https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/meta-fined-102-million-for-storing-passwords-in-plain-text-110049679.html)\n\nIn a significant privacy lapse, Meta has been fined $102 million by the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) for storing user passwords in plain text. \n\nThis breach, affecting potentially up to 600 million users, highlights serious concerns about data security practices at one of the world's largest tech companies.\n\n## So... what happend\n\nThe issue dates back to 2019 when Meta discovered that user passwords were being stored in plain text on its servers, a practice that violates basic security protocols. Initially, the company acknowledged the problem but later revealed that millions of Instagram passwords were also compromised. Some of these passwords had been stored in this vulnerable format since 2012 and were accessible to over 20,000 employees, though there was no evidence of external access.\n\nThe DPC's investigation concluded that Meta violated several GDPR regulations by failing to:\n\n- Promptly notify the DPC of the breach.\n- Document the breach adequately.\n- Implement appropriate technical measures to secure user passwords.\n\nThese failures underscore a lack of due diligence in protecting user data.\n\n## Impact and Implications\n\nThis incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust data security measures. For users, it raises concerns about the safety of personal information entrusted to major platforms. For companies, it highlights the necessity of adhering to data protection laws like GDPR to avoid substantial fines and reputational damage.\n\nThe fine imposed on Meta reflects the seriousness of the breach and serves as a warning to other organizations about the consequences of inadequate data protection practices.\n\n## Final Thoughts\n\nThis case illustrates the critical need for companies to prioritize data security and comply with privacy regulations. As users, it's essential to be aware of how our data is handled and to choose services that respect our privacy. \n\nAt [Simple Analytics](https://www.simpleanalytics.com/), we are committed to providing a straightforward, privacy-friendly alternative to traditional analytics platforms, ensuring your data remains secure and private. ",{"data":45},null,2498,"Meta fined $102 million by the Irish Data Protection Commission","Meta fined $102 million by the DPC for storing user passwords in plain text.","meta-fined-102-million-by-the-irish-data-protection-commission","2024-11-12T12:35:41.864Z","2025-04-02T13:35:49.377Z",{"en":53,"de":54,"fr":56,"it":58,"es":60,"nl":62},{"slug":49},{"slug":55},"meta-wird-von-der-irischen-datenschutzkommission-mit-einer-geldstrafe-von-102-millionen-dollar-belegt",{"slug":57},"meta-condamne-a-une-amende-de-102-millions-de-dollars-par-la-commission-irlandaise-de-protection-des-donnees",{"slug":59},"meta-multata-per-102-milioni-di-dollari-dalla-commissione-irlandese-per-la-protezione-dei-dati-personali",{"slug":61},"la-comision-irlandesa-de-proteccion-de-datos-multa-a-meta-con-102-millones-de-dolares",{"slug":63},"meta-beboet-met-102-miljoen-door-de-ierse-commissie-voor-gegevensbescherming"]