With grim memories, major social media and big tech companies will look back on 2021. It was a year of hefty fines and significant regulation board hearings from Europe to Asia and the United States.
Every big social media platform was placed under a magnifying glass. Even the untouchable tech companies in China felt the ruthless heat of new government regulations. And nothing could be more uncomfortable than that.
Who was fined in 2021
Early in July, the Dutch Data Protection Authority imposed an $844 185 (€750 000) fine on TikTok. It said TikTok had violated the privacy of young children.
Facebook also had a torrid 2021. The EU fined the company's WhatsApp a massive $266 million. WhatsApp failed to inform EU residents enough about what it does with their data. But that's ...
