Courts / Ireland / Report
Challenge brought over investigation into complaints against Instagram and Whatsapp
Summary
In July 2020, the not‑for‑profit NOYB – European Centre for Digital Rights, based in Vienna, filed a High Court challenge against the Data Protection Commissioner of Ireland. NOYB alleges that the Commissioner has breached its GDPR and Data Protection Act duties by failing to investigate complaints lodged in 2018 about the unlawful processing of personal data by the social media platforms WhatsApp and Instagram. The complaints, made by German and Belgian authorities, claim that the platforms rely on user consent in a way that violates GDPR. NOYB argues that the investigation has only progressed through the first two of eight stages and that the Commissioner has not completed it within a reasonable period. The court granted permission for the action on an ex‑parte basis and set a return date for September.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Challenge brought over investigation into complaints against Instagram and Whatsapp. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- 2020-07-06 Publication
Case subjects
Applicant
Applicant
Places mentioned
- High Court
Topics
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