Five million dollar fines paid by tech companies | Social networks

Facebook received a $ 5 billion fine last Wednesday, the highest punishment given to a technology company so far. Although it was the biggest fine, the amount recalls cases of the past, when other companies in the area were forced to pay very high values ​​for violating some kind of rule. Google, Apple and Qualcomm are among them.

The amount applied to Facebook amounts to about $ 20 billion and was stipulated after investigation into the Cambridge Analytic case. The US government has concluded that Mark Zuckerberg's social network has violated users' privacy by allowing confidential data to leak. Next, understand why Facebook and other tech companies had to pay dearly for their mistakes.

Facebook: 30 Things Social Networking Knows About You

Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg's company, has received the highest fine ever given to a technology company Photo: Divulgao / FacebookFacebook, Mark Zuckerberg's company, has received the highest fine ever given to a technology company Photo: Divulgao / Facebook

Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg's company, has received the highest fine ever given to a technology company Photo: Divulgao / Facebook

Want to buy a cell phone, TV and other discounted products? Meet the Compare dnetc

1. Facebook is the most expensive fine in history

The Federal Trade Commission investigated Facebook for a few months and found that the network violated the privacy of 87 million users by sharing its data with the British policy advisory office Cambridge Analytica, during 2016 presidential elections in the United States.

To put an end to the investigations, Facebook struck a deal with the United States Federal Trade Commission and agreed to pay the $ 5 billion fine. As a result, the data leakage investigation, which began in 2018, has come to an end.

In addition to the fine, as part of the deal, Facebook has also agreed to set up a privacy commission and have to certify, every three months, that its users' data is really secure. Otherwise, new fines will come.

2. Google fined by European Union

Google California Headquarters Facade Photo: Nicolly Vimercate / dnetcGoogle California Headquarters Facade Photo: Nicolly Vimercate / dnetc

Google California Headquarters Facade Photo: Nicolly Vimercate / dnetc

In March 2019, Google had to pay 1.49 billion to the European Commission, which defends the interests of the European Union. According to the organization, Google was penalized because it barred advertisements from competitors and bypassed the antitrust law of the European bloc.

According to the investigation, the company enforced a series of restrictive clauses in third party contracts, preventing rivals from placing their ads on search engines. The European Commission considered that this measure was an abuse of power and encouraged unfair competition.

By 2018, Google had already received another fine fined by the European Union and for a very similar reason. This time, the commission fined the company 4.3 billion dollars for understanding that the company took advantage of Android's lead to force the distribution of its search app and Chrome on phones from different manufacturers. , preventing fair competition.

3. Qualcomm fined $ 1 billion

In July 2019, the European Commission imposed another heavy fine, this time against Qualcomm (pending appeal). The company has to shell out 242 million (about $ 1 billion). The amount was applied because the Commission understood that the company provided 3G chips with excessively low prices to undermine competition, causing unfair competition in the market. Qualcomm has warned that it plans to appeal the decision.

Qualcomm will appeal fine millionaire Photo: Fabrcio Vitorino / dnetcQualcomm will appeal fine millionaire Photo: Fabrcio Vitorino / dnetc

Qualcomm will appeal fine millionaire Photo: Fabrcio Vitorino / dnetc

4. WhatsApp almost receives a billion dollar fine in Brazil

In June 2019, WhatsApp received in Brazil a fine of R $ 23 million, stipulated by the 4 Regio Federal Regional Court (TRF4). The punishment occurred because the text messenger failed to comply with 2017 court rulings, which required the platform to provide encrypted data from users investigated at Federal Police Operation Malote. Despite the high value, the fine ended up being much more affordable than the initial value suggested by TRF4: $ 2 billion.

WhatsApp managed to reduce fine in Brazil from $ 2 billion to $ 23 million Photo: Anna Kellen Bull / dnetcWhatsApp managed to reduce fine in Brazil from $ 2 billion to $ 23 million Photo: Anna Kellen Bull / dnetc

WhatsApp managed to reduce fine in Brazil from $ 2 billion to $ 23 million Photo: Anna Kellen Bull / dnetc

5. Apple Receives Fine Millionaire for Not Fixing iPhone

In 2018, Apple received a $ 25.3 million fine imposed by the Australian courts. The reason the brand refused to repair iPhone and iPad devices that had been repaired with components of the so-called "parallel market". For Apple, the warranty ends when non-original parts are used and repairs are not authorized.

Bug on iPhone, called Error 53, has penalized the company in Australia Photo: Disclosure / AppleBug on iPhone, called Error 53, has penalized the company in Australia Photo: Disclosure / Apple

Bug on iPhone, called Error 53, has penalized the company in Australia Photo: Disclosure / Apple

The lawsuit was filed by the Australian Consumer and Competitor Commission (ACCC), the local consumer rights organization, as Apple itself admitted refusing service and repair to at least 275 consumers, whose repaired cell phones and tablets presented Error 53 and crashed at once.

Everything Facebook knows about you

Everything Facebook knows about you

Facebook: Can I change the privacy of my friends list? Find out on the dnetc Forum.