Italian Authority Fines Meta 805 Million Euros Over Unauthorized User Gallery Access

The Italian Data Protection Authority imposed a fine of 805 million euros ($887 million) against Meta on Saturday, November 15, 2026. The penalty follows an investigation into the Facebook app for Android devices regarding unauthorized access to the photos, videos, and metadata of Italian users. This ruling marks one of the largest fines ever imposed by an Italian authority on a technology giant.

Unauthorized gallery access details

The regulatory action centers on a feature titled "Get suggestions from gallery" that has been available since 2023. This feature uses files within a device gallery to suggest various post ideas to users while they navigate the Facebook app. The authority found that the Facebook app accessed the files of approximately 20 million users without obtaining specific consent.

According to the authority, the violation involves Article 122 of the Italian Privacy Code. Investigators determined that Facebook used a single, generic "enable other features" permission. This permission failed to inform users that access to their personal gallery files was being requested. The investigation into these practices began in July 2025 following a formal complaint by the Bolzano Consumer and User Protection Center.

Meta response and regulatory mandates

Meta has been ordered to disable the "Get suggestions from gallery" feature by default within 60 days. A spokesperson for Meta stated that the company disagrees with the assessment of facts and the legal interpretation provided by the authority. The spokesperson also described the amount of the fine as disproportionate and indicated that Meta intends to appeal the decision.

Historical regulatory context

The fine against Meta follows other significant legal challenges regarding data usage and privacy. In late October 2026, a court in New Mexico, USA, ordered Meta to pay $25 billion for misleading residents about data usage for over a decade. Meta characterized that New Mexico ruling as a "tax" on freedom of expression.

Other major technology companies have also faced significant penalties in the region. In 2021, Amazon received a fine exceeding 1.1 billion euros for antitrust violations. That fine was later reduced to 752 million euros following an appeal process.