On the eve of the US TikTok shutdown/ban, perhaps we should remind ourselves that it’s not just the Chinese that need watching when it comes to the misuse of our personal digital data.  

The $5 billion fine paid by Meta (then Facebook) in 2019 should serve as a wake-up call for anyone involved in the world of social media—users, businesses, and regulators alike. This penalty, stemming from Facebook’s mishandling of personal data during the infamous Cambridge Analytica scandal, was a stark reminder of the risks associated with lax privacy policies and opaque data-sharing practices. While it was the largest fine ever imposed by the FTC for a privacy violation, the broader lessons extend far beyond the numbers.

The Cambridge Analytica incident revealed just how vulnerable our personal data is in the digital age. Millions of Facebook users had their information harvested through a seemingly harmless personality quiz, with the data then sold and weaponized for political purposes. What’s chilling is how easy it was for this to happen. Users were unaware that agreeing to share their data also meant exposing their friends’ information. This wasn’t just a breach of trust—it was a blueprint for how our digital lives could be exploited without our knowledge.

For Meta, the $5 billion fine was more than just a financial penalty; it was a public relations nightmare. The company was accused of violating a 2012 agreement with the FTC that required stricter privacy protections, and the backlash raised serious questions about whether tech giants could ever be trusted to regulate themselves. Yes, the settlement required Facebook to implement stronger accountability measures, but for many, this felt like too little, too late. Trust, once broken, is hard to rebuild, and Meta’s struggle to regain credibility continues to this day.

What can we learn from this? For one, transparency is no longer optional. Social media platforms must be upfront about how they collect, use, and share data. The days of burying crucial details in endless terms and conditions are over—users demand clarity. At the same time, regulators must take a more active role in setting and enforcing boundaries. If a $5 billion fine barely dents a company’s bottom line, then the penalties aren’t severe enough to deter bad behavior. Stronger consequences and stricter oversight are needed to keep tech companies accountable.

For everyday users, the lesson is clear: we must be vigilant about our digital footprint. Social media platforms are built on the currency of our data, and if we don’t value it, no one else will. That means thinking twice before clicking “accept” and understanding the implications of sharing personal information online. It also means holding platforms accountable by demanding better privacy protections and supporting legislation that puts users’ rights first.

The Meta fine wasn’t just a punishment—it was a warning. If we don’t take action to protect privacy, both individually and collectively, the next data scandal could make Cambridge Analytica look tame by comparison. The future of social media depends on whether we learn these lessons or allow history to repeat itself.