Is This The End For Meta?

And an exciting announcement about my podcast.

Author

Metin Senler
8. November 2023

The EDPB, The European Data Protection Board, is canceling Facebook and Instagram personalized ads in Europe.

Yeah! Read that again.

The European Union has taken significant steps against using personal data for targeted advertising.

The EDPB has issued a binding decision instructing Ireland's privacy watchdog to enforce a ban on Meta's processing of personal data for behavioral advertising across the European single market (which includes my home country, Switzerland).

This action builds upon a previous move by Norway's Data Protection Authority to request such a ban, and it extends to all 30 countries in the European Union and the European Economic Area.

Okay, but what does that exactly mean?

The decision by the EDPB to ban Meta's use of personal data for targeted ads means that Meta will no longer be allowed to collect and process the personal data of individuals for the purpose of displaying personalized ads based on their behavior.

This practice, known as behavioral advertising, involves tracking users' online activities and preferences to serve them highly relevant ads.

See, the tracking of user behavior could still occur for other purposes, such as improving platform services, security measures, or basic functionality that does not involve creating personalized advertisements.

For users, this means they may see less personalized advertising on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. For Meta, it requires rethinking and potentially overhauling its ad delivery systems in compliance with this new regulatory mandate.

So here is my take on this:

As an individual, I like where this is going.

As the CEO of a Social Media Marketing company, this could affect our business. But since we focus on creating organic content, it will only affect us a little.
This decision plays to our company goal, which is to create dope content for our clients that users will like.

It means that we will hopefully see more relevant, engaging, and educating content.

I also think a subscription-based experience on Facebook and Instagram is not far away, and I'm all in for that, personally. But from the perspective of my profession, I’ll check out the ads for sure.

Funny enough - while writing this, I just received this pop-up question on Instagram:

What do you think about banning personalized ads and subscription-based FB/IG?

EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT MY PODCAST:

On my podcast “Brain Storm,” I talk about social media, self-improvement, entrepreneurship, and creative life. I do this solo, and I love it.

However, starting this week, I will record special interview episodes!
I’m really excited about this. My first guest will be Sam Browne, a LinkedIn expert with 90’000 followers.

The next one is also in the making, so stay tuned and subscribe to my podcast on Spotify and Apple, and don’t miss out.