Facebook has just announced that they will now be blocking Belgians who are non-registered users to the site.
Last December 2, the online social networking site said that they will block access to non-member individuals in Belgium. The said decision was made after an issue about privacy ruling over cookies was accused to them.
Last month, it can be remembered that a Belgian court ruled that Facebook had dishonored a certain Belgian data protection law because of a certain cookie. The said cookie named "datr cookie" is said to track the specific internet browser used by the user in logging in to Facebook.
The said court found the incident as unfair and unlawful stating that right to process the personal data of users without their permission was not mentioned in the social network's terms of service.
As a result, the court stated that for every day that the said cookie will be located on the Belgian user's browser, a fine of €250,000 will be required for Facebook. The said fine was also included for those users who just viewed posts on Facebook even if they are not a registered member. As long as the specific cookie will be found, the exact amount of fine will be required from the social media site.
In a statement, Willem Debeuckelaere accused Facebook of playing games.
"We wish that Facebook would simply stop following people that are not members of the social network. It's as simple as that," stated by the head of Belgian watchdog to Belga news agency.
On the other hand, Facebook objected that the cookie mentioned by the Belgian Privacy Commission is only used to improve the security of the site by restricting anyone who logged in from any unrecognized browsers.
Facebook has assured to appeal against the court's decision last month. For the meantime, the company vowed that they will respond to the Belgian Privacy Commission with full compliance.
