Italy Fines Meta $887 Million for Unauthorized Access to User Photos
Italy has fined Meta $887 million for accessing users' photos and videos from their Facebook galleries without specific consent.
Baton Rouge, LA, November 14, 2026 —
Italy has imposed a substantial fine on Meta Platforms Inc., amounting to $887 million, over allegations of unauthorized access to users’ personal photos and videos stored within their Facebook galleries.
The penalty, levied by Italian authorities, stems from the company’s alleged practice of accessing users’ image content without obtaining explicit consent. This action reportedly involved data from users’ Facebook galleries, raising privacy concerns among regulators.
Details regarding the specific Italian regulatory body that issued the fine, the exact timeline of the alleged unauthorized access, or Meta’s immediate response to the penalty were not provided in the available information. The contractor’s name was also not provided.
The fine highlights ongoing scrutiny by governments worldwide regarding how technology companies handle user data and privacy. The $887 million figure represents one of the significant penalties imposed on a major social media firm for data-related infringements.
Further information on the specific terms of the consent requirements or the technical methods used for accessing the photos and videos was not detailed. The outcome of this action and any subsequent measures by Meta or Italian regulators remain to be seen.
Story summarized from the original created by Suryatapa Chakraborty on thehill.com, see more information here.
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