Facebook takes out ads to tout new EU data protection law

Facebook on Monday took out full-page ads in European newspapers to blow the horn on the new EU legislation that promises ‘more data protection for you’ as the company fights back to win the trust after a privacy scandal.

The new law which will come into effect from May 25, aims to give users the maximum control over their personal information and how it is stored and used online, with huge fines on firm found guilty of breaking the law.

"New EU legislation means more data protection for you," the Silicon Valley giant said in the blue-and-white ad, which appeared in German dailies, including Handelsblatt, Sueddeutsche Zeitung and the best-selling Bild. Facebook had earlier said that it would be asking users to check their privacy setting.

"You will also have the opportunity to access your data at any time, download it or delete it," the ad went on.

Facebook admitted that up to 87 million users may have had their data hijacked by Cambridge Analytica, which worked for US President Donald Trump during the 2016 election campaign.

"I was really desperate about thinking how to make the best possible campaign for GDPR so now this is well done, so thank you Mr Zuckerberg," the EU's justice and consumer affairs commissioner Vera Jourova said on 11 April.

Companies will need consent from the users to share their data with third party applications, under the new rule and people will have the complete right to enquire about what information is stored and can ask for it to be deleted.

Any breach regarding the matter can lead to fines of up to four per cent of company’s global turnover.