Gambling Firms Breach Data Laws by Sharing User Information with Facebook, Reports Reveal

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A report by the Observer has revealed that numerous gambling companies in the UK are unlawfully sharing user data with Meta, Facebook's parent company, without obtaining consent. This practice involves a hidden tracking tool embedded in various gambling websites, which collects data on user activity and sends it to Meta, effectively profiling individuals as gamblers and targeting them with related advertisements.

Testing 150 gambling sites, the Observer found that 52 of them transmitted data automatically, including popular brands like Hollywoodbets and Sporting Index. Iain Duncan Smith, Conservative chair of the all-party parliamentary group on gambling reform, criticized the gambling industry's marketing practices as "out of control," calling for immediate regulatory intervention.

Data privacy expert Wolfie Christl noted that sharing data without informed consent highlights a severe disregard for legal standards. The UK's Information Commissioner’s Office has previously reprimanded companies for similar breaches, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in data handling practices. The Gambling Commission has stated that operators must comply with data protection laws, with potential penalties for violations.

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