Pinterest Faces EU Privacy Complaint Over Tracking Ads

The complaint alleges that Pinterest is illegally tracking users across the web without their consent

A privacy group has filed a complaint with the European Union (EU) against Pinterest, alleging that the social media company is illegally tracking users across the web without their consent. The complaint was filed by the European Center for Digital Rights (ECDR), a non-profit organization that advocates for digital privacy rights.

The ECDR alleges that Pinterest uses tracking cookies to collect data about users' online activity, even if they are not logged into the Pinterest website or app. This data includes information about the websites users visit, the products they view, and the ads they click on.

The ECDR argues that Pinterest's use of tracking cookies violates the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which requires companies to obtain consent from users before collecting their personal data.

Pinterest has not yet commented on the complaint

Pinterest has not yet commented on the complaint. However, the company has previously said that it is committed to protecting user privacy.

In a statement on its website, Pinterest says that it "collects data to provide a personalized experience for our users." The company says that it uses cookies to "remember your preferences, such as your language and country, and to provide you with relevant ads."

The ECDR's complaint is the latest in a series of privacy concerns that have been raised about Pinterest

In recent months, Pinterest has been criticized for its use of facial recognition technology and for its sharing of user data with third-party advertisers.

The ECDR's complaint could lead to a formal investigation of Pinterest by the EU. If the EU finds that Pinterest has violated the GDPR, the company could face fines of up to 4% of its annual revenue.