Italy’s privacy regulator has reset the rules on Facebook gallery access, fining Meta €805 million ($887 million) for accessing Android users’ photos without specific consent. The order requires the suggestions feature off by default, and a separate request that explains gallery access and how to turn it off. The order covers users in Italy; on cloud processing, the authority reserved the right to assess a 2026 feature separately.
Updated November 15, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Italy fined Meta €805 million ($887 million) over Android gallery access.
- Meta has 60 days to turn gallery suggestions off by default.
- Consent must be separate, specific, and explain how to disable access.
- The authority reserved a separate look at a 2026 cloud feature.
What did Italy change about Facebook gallery access?
The feature, which The Guardian said has been available since 2023, suggests photos and videos from an Android phone gallery as post ideas while someone browses Facebook. Al Jazeera named it “Get suggestions from gallery when browsing Facebook.” The Guardian reported that the authority found the app had accessed photographs, videos and related metadata “without obtaining specific consent and without properly informing them.” Al Jazeera identified that authority as Garante, Italy’s data protection authority.
Access came through one app-wide authorization, after a generic notice that did not show users they were also allowing gallery suggestions. Al Jazeera reported the option was on by default, and that Garante said this violates Italian law implementing the EU ePrivacy directive.
The BBC and CNBC reported that Meta has 60 days to disable the feature by default and seek consent separately. The Guardian said that request must be separate and specific, must signpost photo gallery access, and must explain how to disable it.
- Default off, not on, for gallery suggestions.
- A separate consent ask, not one app-wide authorization.
- A clear note that the feature accesses the photo gallery, plus how to turn it off.
What does this mean for Android users everywhere?
These reports describe an Italian case covering about 20 million Android users. The Guardian and the BBC said about 20 million Android users in Italy were affected. Al Jazeera said roughly 20 million Italian Android users could have been affected. They do not say the authority ordered a worldwide switch-off, or that those users were named in the order.
The finding these outlets describe is a generic notice, with suggestions left on by default. Al Jazeera said Garante found that pattern violates Italian law implementing the EU ePrivacy directive. These reports do not confirm an identical notice in every country.
A spokesperson told the BBC: “People must give permission on their device before it can operate and they can change this permission at any time via their settings.” That device setting is the control the company described, and our guide to locking down Facebook Android photo access is a related walkthrough. Whether Meta rewrites the screen for every country, or only for Italy, is not in these reports.
What did the regulator say about cloud processing?
CNBC reported that the authority reserved the right to assess separately a 2026 feature that lets gallery content be processed in the cloud. That is not the same as saying a later case was already set. CNBC said the investigation, which began in 2025, did not cover possible use of the content to train artificial intelligence, a practice Meta denied. Al Jazeera also said the proceedings did not address that possible use, which Meta denies.
| Issue | Status in this case |
|---|---|
| Gallery suggestions | Off by default in 60 days; separate consent |
| Users affected | About 20 million Android users in Italy |
| Cloud processing | Right reserved to assess a 2026 feature separately |
| AI training | Not examined; Meta denies it |
Why was the fine this large?
The Guardian reported that the authority cited “the high number of people affected” and “Meta’s lack of cooperation during the investigation.” The Guardian also reported that the authority treated the infringement as still ongoing “for those who have not updated the app and for those who have already given their consent to the system.” Al Jazeera added that an earlier violation, which resulted in a 2019 fine, was a contributing factor. These sources do not state that 2019 amount.
The penalty is €805 million ($887 million). The Guardian said roughly 0.4% of 2025 turnover, which hit $201bn. CNBC said about 0.47% of global revenue, and Al Jazeera said roughly 0.47 percent of global turnover. Al Jazeera called the figure by far the largest fine this regulator has imposed.
Meta said it will appeal. Its spokesperson told the BBC: “We strongly disagree with the [regulator’s] assessment of the facts, its application of the law and the disproportionate level of the fine.” The company also told the BBC: “This is a straightforward feature which helps people post photos and videos to Facebook.”
Frequently asked questions
How much did Italy fine Meta over Facebook photos?
Italy’s data protection authority fined Meta €805 million ($887 million). Reports say about 20 million Android users in Italy were affected, or could have been.
What must Meta change in the Facebook Android app?
Within 60 days, Meta must turn gallery suggestions off by default and seek separate, specific consent that explains gallery access and how to disable it.
Does the Italian order apply to Android users outside Italy?
The reports describe an order about users in Italy. They do not say the regulator required a worldwide product change.
Did this case cover cloud processing or AI training?
CNBC said the authority reserved the right to assess a 2026 cloud feature separately. The investigation did not cover possible AI training, which Meta denied.
