Types of Chickens | Raising Backyard Chickens

3||(n=3===i.length?window[i[0]][i[1]][i[2]]:2===i.length?window[i[0]][i[1]]:window[l.funcName]),null!=n&&n.apply(null,this.parameters),!0===l.deleteWhenComplete&&delete t[e],!0===l.isBlock&&(u(“—– F’D: “+l.name),f())}},l=function(e,i,t,n,s,r,o){var a=this;this.name=e,this.path=i,this.async=s,this.defer=r,this.isBlock=t,this.blockedBy=n,this.isInitialized=!1,this.isError=!1,this.isComplete=!1,this.proceedIfError=o,this.isTimeDelay=!1,this.isPath=function(e){return”/”===e[0]&&”/”!==e[1]},this.getSrc=function(e){return void 0!==window.__ezScriptHost&&this.isPath(e)?window.__ezScriptHost+e:e},this.process=function(){a.isInitialized=!0,u(“… file = “+e);var i=document.createElement(“script”);i.src=this.getSrc(this.path),!0===s?i.async=!0:!0===r&&(i.defer=!0),i.onerror=function(){u(“—– ERR’D: “+a.name),a.isError=!0,!0===a.isBlock&&f()},i.onreadystatechange=i.onload=function(){var e=i.readyState;u(“—– F’D: “+a.name),e&&!/loaded|complete/.test(e)||(a.isComplete=!0,!0===a.isBlock&&f())},document.getElementsByTagName(“head”)[0].appendChild(i)}},c=function(e,i){this.name=e,this.path=””,this.async=!1,this.defer=!1,this.isBlock=!1,this.blockedBy=[],this.isInitialized=!0,this.isError=!1,this.isComplete=i,this.proceedIfError=!1,this.isTimeDelay=!1,this.process=function(){}};function d(e){!0!==h(e)&&0!=o&&e.process()}function h(e){if(!0===e.isTimeDelay&&!1===n)return u(e.name+” blocked = TIME DELAY!”),!0;if(e.blockedBy instanceof Array)for(var i=0;i200||(u(“let’s go”),m(s),m(r))}function m(e){for(var i in e)if(!1!==e.hasOwnProperty(i)){var t=e[i];!0===t.isComplete||h(t)||!0===t.isInitialized||!0===t.isError?!0===t.isError?u(t.name+”: error”):!0===t.isComplete?u(t.name+”: complete already”):!0===t.isInitialized&&u(t.name+”: initialized already”):t.process()}}return window.addEventListener(“load”,(function(){setTimeout((function(){n=!0,u(“TDELAY —–“),f()}),5e3)}),!1),{addFile:function(e,i,n,o,a,c,h,u){var f=new l(e,i,n,o,a,c,h);!0===u?s[e]=f:r[e]=f,t[e]=f,d(f)},addDelayFile:function(e,i){var n=new l(e,i,!1,[],!1,!1,!0);n.isTimeDelay=!0,u(e+” … FILE! TDELAY”),r[e]=n,t[e]=n,d(n)},addFunc:function(e,n,o,l,c,h,u,f,m){!0===h&&(e=e+”_”+i++);var p=new a(e,n,o,l,c,u,f);!0===m?s[e]=p:r[e]=p,t[e]=p,d(p)},addDelayFunc:function(e,i,n){var s=new a(e,i,n,!1,[],!0,!0);s.isTimeDelay=!0,u(e+” … FUNCTION! TDELAY”),r[e]=s,t[e]=s,d(s)},items:t,processAll:f,setallowLoad:function(e){o=e},markLoaded:function(e){if(e&&0!==e.length){if(e in t){var i=t[e];!0===i.isComplete?u(i.name+” “+e+”: error loaded duplicate”):(i.isComplete=!0,i.isInitialized=!0)}else t[e]=new c(e,!0);u(“markLoaded dummyfile: “+t[e].name)}},logWhatsBlocked:function(){for(var e in t)!1!==t.hasOwnProperty(e)&&h(t[e])}}}();__ez.evt.add=function(e,t,n){e.addEventListener?e.addEventListener(t,n,!1):e.attachEvent?e.attachEvent(“on”+t,n):e[“on”+t]=n()},__ez.evt.remove=function(e,t,n){e.removeEventListener?e.removeEventListener(t,n,!1):e.detachEvent?e.detachEvent(“on”+t,n):delete e[“on”+t]};__ez.script.add=function(e){var t=document.createElement(“script”);t.src=e,t.async=!0,t.type=”text/javascript”,document.getElementsByTagName(“head”)[0].appendChild(t)};__ez.dot={};!function(){var e;__ez.vep=(e=[],{Add:function(i,t){__ez.dot.isDefined(i)&&__ez.dot.isValid(t)&&e.push({type:”video”,video_impression_id:i,domain_id:__ez.dot.getDID(),t_epoch:__ez.dot.getEpoch(0),data:__ez.dot.dataToStr(t)})},Fire:function(){if(void 0===document.visibilityState||”prerender”!==document.visibilityState){if(__ez.dot.isDefined(e)&&e.length>0)for(;e.length>0;){var i=5;i>e.length&&(i=e.length);var t=e.splice(0,i),o=__ez.dot.getURL(“/detroitchicago/grapefruit.gif”)+”?orig=”+(!0===__ez.template.isOrig?1:0)+”&v=”+btoa(JSON.stringify(t));__ez.dot.Fire(o)}e=[]}}})}();]]> [] Types of Chickens | Raising Backyard Chickens | Homestead <![CDATA[ window._wpemojiSettings = {"baseUrl":"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/72×72/","ext":".png","svgUrl":"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/svg/","svgExt":".svg","source":{"concatemoji":"https://homesteading.com/wp-includes/js/wp-emoji-release.min.js?ver=6.1.1"}}; /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(e,a,t){var n,r,o,i=a.createElement("canvas"),p=i.getContext&&i.getContext("2d");function s(e,t){var a=String.fromCharCode,e=(p.clearRect(0,0,i.width,i.height),p.fillText(a.apply(this,e),0,0),i.toDataURL());return p.clearRect(0,0,i.width,i.height),p.fillText(a.apply(this,t),0,0),e===i.toDataURL()}function c(e){var t=a.createElement("script");t.src=e,t.defer=t.type="text/javascript",a.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(t)}for(o=Array("flag","emoji"),t.supports={everything:!0,everythingExceptFlag:!0},r=0;r tallest) { tallest = thisHeight; } }); group.height(tallest); } equalHeight($(“.dg-grid-shortcode .dg_grid-shortcode-col”)); $(window).resize(function() { equalHeight($(“.dg-grid-shortcode .dg_grid-shortcode-col”)); }); }); ]]>

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CyberScoop: LastPass breach exposes how US breach notification laws can leave consumers in the lurch

“It’s really messy,” says Chris Frascella, who studies consumer privacy at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, a nonprofit research group. “What you’re required to report in Alabama may not be something that you have to report in Connecticut.”

Because many technology companies are based in California or collect significant amounts of data on the state’s residents, this means they often must adhere to California’s fairly strong privacy law, and when this standard is more rigorous than in other states, companies will implement the California law across the board, Frascella added.

Read the full article here.

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The Woodlot Offers Numerous Benefits For Small Farms

It’s amazing to consider the versatility of wood. In a single sustainable resource, we’re offered the opportunity to create three distinct essentials: heat, light and shelter. Besides that, we can use wood to create any number of wonderful objects: furniture, boats, crafts, even works of art. The possibilities are endless.

And while many people must rely on purchased wood grown and harvested miles from their home, hobby farm owners may have a unique opportunity available to them: a woodlot on their own property. 

In some cases, this woodlot may consist of trees that were specifically planted with harvesting in mind. But many times a homestead woodlot is simply a natural forest that exists within your property’s boundary. And with some planning and a little care, a woodlot may have the ability to provide you with multiple useful products for years to come.

Let’s look at a few of the possibilities.

Firewood

You might love the idea of using the forested areas of your property to harvest wood for burning, and this can be a satisfying pursuit. If your goals are small—say it’s mainly to harvest wood for campfires, an occasional fire in the fireplace or, perhaps, sporadically heating a small cabin—it might not matter too much what kind of trees you have.

The heating quality of the wood in these situations is negligible. 

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woodlotDaniel Johnson

However, if you’re seeking to heat a home with wood over a winter, you’ll want to research a bit about wood types. In a nutshell, hardwoods make better wood for heating, as the denser quality of the wood fibers makes for a wood that burns hotter and longer.

While many fruit and nut trees fall into this category, they may obviously have other uses that are more valuable than burning. That leaves you with a few standard favorites:

  • beech
  • oak
  • maple
  • ash
  • dogwood
  • birch

(In far northern regions such as Alaska, where traditional hardwoods can be scarce, birch is a very popular wood for burning.)

Most softwoods such as spruce and pine trees make generally weaker firewood. However, some softwoods—cedars and Douglas fir—can pull their weight when it comes to heating.

Read more: Ready to start heating with firewood? Here’s how to begin.

Lumber

It’s relatively easy to crosscut a log against the grain. Chainsaws are the go-to tool today, of course. In the past, however, simple axes and single- or two-man crosscut hand saws were standard equipment. In any case, cutting a log short ways takes a relatively short amount of time and effort. 

But if you want to cut a log lengthwise along the grain, you’re in for a challenge that has been with humanity for a long time, as it’s not easy. But there are plenty of incentives: the chance to create lumber of all sizes, fence posts, flooring, siding, paneling—all extremely useful items to come out of your…

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Ninth Circuit Revives Children’s Privacy Class Action Against Google

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently held that Google will have to face a class action lawsuit alleging that their data collection practices violated the laws of six states. The plaintiffs, a class of guardians appearing on behalf of their children, claim that Google and YouTube violated state children’s privacy laws by tracking behavior and collecting data without their consent.

The Ninth Circuit reversed a lower court’s dismissal of the case, finding that the claims were not preempted by the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) because Congress did not intend to override state law privacy claims when it enacted COPPA. Sending the case back to the lower court, the panel concluded that “COPPA’s preemption clause does not bar state-law causes of action that are parallel to, or proscribe the same conduct forbidden by, COPPA.”

In 2019, the Federal Trade Commission, the federal regulator tasked with enforcing COPPA, fined Google and YouTube for violating COPPA by collecting children’s personal information without parental consent. Most recently, the FTC entered into a consent decree with Fortnite video game maker Epic Games (no relation to EPIC). As part of the settlement, Epic Games will be required to pay $520 million over COPPA violations.

EPIC regularly advocates for heightened privacy protections for children. In 2003, EPIC and 11 other consumer organizations alleged in a complaint to the FTC that Amazon illegally collected and disclosed children’s personal information in violation of COPPA. As part of EPIC’s comprehensive comments filed in response to the FTC’s recent rulemaking on commercial surveillance, EPIC explained that “COPPA is a floor, not a ceiling,” and recommended that that the FTC impose a new, stronger rule protecting minors from commercial surveillance harms.

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South Carolina Supreme Court Strikes Down Six Week Abortion Ban, Citing State Constitution’s Right to Privacy

In a 3-2 decision, South Carolina’s Supreme Court held that the state’s constitutional right to privacy protects the decision to terminate a pregnancy, rendering the state’s previous six-week abortion ban unconstitutional. The court held that “the decision to terminate a pregnancy rests upon the utmost personal and private considerations imaginable, and implicates a woman’s right to privacy.” EPIC has previously explained that the ubiquitous tracking and surveillance of individuals undermines autonomy and harms people seeking abortions. EPIC has worked to establish state and federal laws that enshrine and protect privacy rights.

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The Forrest Fenn Treasure Has Brought More than Riches…

3||(n=3===i.length?window[i[0]][i[1]][i[2]]:2===i.length?window[i[0]][i[1]]:window[l.funcName]),null!=n&&n.apply(null,this.parameters),!0===l.deleteWhenComplete&&delete t[e],!0===l.isBlock&&(u(“—– F’D: “+l.name),f())}},l=function(e,i,t,n,s,r,o){var a=this;this.name=e,this.path=i,this.async=s,this.defer=r,this.isBlock=t,this.blockedBy=n,this.isInitialized=!1,this.isError=!1,this.isComplete=!1,this.proceedIfError=o,this.isTimeDelay=!1,this.isPath=function(e){return”/”===e[0]&&”/”!==e[1]},this.getSrc=function(e){return void 0!==window.__ezScriptHost&&this.isPath(e)?window.__ezScriptHost+e:e},this.process=function(){a.isInitialized=!0,u(“… file = “+e);var i=document.createElement(“script”);i.src=this.getSrc(this.path),!0===s?i.async=!0:!0===r&&(i.defer=!0),i.onerror=function(){u(“—– ERR’D: “+a.name),a.isError=!0,!0===a.isBlock&&f()},i.onreadystatechange=i.onload=function(){var e=i.readyState;u(“—– F’D: “+a.name),e&&!/loaded|complete/.test(e)||(a.isComplete=!0,!0===a.isBlock&&f())},document.getElementsByTagName(“head”)[0].appendChild(i)}},c=function(e,i){this.name=e,this.path=””,this.async=!1,this.defer=!1,this.isBlock=!1,this.blockedBy=[],this.isInitialized=!0,this.isError=!1,this.isComplete=i,this.proceedIfError=!1,this.isTimeDelay=!1,this.process=function(){}};function d(e){!0!==h(e)&&0!=o&&e.process()}function h(e){if(!0===e.isTimeDelay&&!1===n)return u(e.name+” blocked = TIME DELAY!”),!0;if(e.blockedBy instanceof Array)for(var i=0;i200||(u(“let’s go”),m(s),m(r))}function m(e){for(var i in e)if(!1!==e.hasOwnProperty(i)){var t=e[i];!0===t.isComplete||h(t)||!0===t.isInitialized||!0===t.isError?!0===t.isError?u(t.name+”: error”):!0===t.isComplete?u(t.name+”: complete already”):!0===t.isInitialized&&u(t.name+”: initialized already”):t.process()}}return window.addEventListener(“load”,(function(){setTimeout((function(){n=!0,u(“TDELAY —–“),f()}),5e3)}),!1),{addFile:function(e,i,n,o,a,c,h,u){var f=new l(e,i,n,o,a,c,h);!0===u?s[e]=f:r[e]=f,t[e]=f,d(f)},addDelayFile:function(e,i){var n=new l(e,i,!1,[],!1,!1,!0);n.isTimeDelay=!0,u(e+” … FILE! TDELAY”),r[e]=n,t[e]=n,d(n)},addFunc:function(e,n,o,l,c,h,u,f,m){!0===h&&(e=e+”_”+i++);var p=new a(e,n,o,l,c,u,f);!0===m?s[e]=p:r[e]=p,t[e]=p,d(p)},addDelayFunc:function(e,i,n){var s=new a(e,i,n,!1,[],!0,!0);s.isTimeDelay=!0,u(e+” … FUNCTION! TDELAY”),r[e]=s,t[e]=s,d(s)},items:t,processAll:f,setallowLoad:function(e){o=e},markLoaded:function(e){if(e&&0!==e.length){if(e in t){var i=t[e];!0===i.isComplete?u(i.name+” “+e+”: error loaded duplicate”):(i.isComplete=!0,i.isInitialized=!0)}else t[e]=new c(e,!0);u(“markLoaded dummyfile: “+t[e].name)}},logWhatsBlocked:function(){for(var e in t)!1!==t.hasOwnProperty(e)&&h(t[e])}}}();__ez.evt.add=function(e,t,n){e.addEventListener?e.addEventListener(t,n,!1):e.attachEvent?e.attachEvent(“on”+t,n):e[“on”+t]=n()},__ez.evt.remove=function(e,t,n){e.removeEventListener?e.removeEventListener(t,n,!1):e.detachEvent?e.detachEvent(“on”+t,n):delete e[“on”+t]};__ez.script.add=function(e){var t=document.createElement(“script”);t.src=e,t.async=!0,t.type=”text/javascript”,document.getElementsByTagName(“head”)[0].appendChild(t)};__ez.dot={};!function(){var e;__ez.vep=(e=[],{Add:function(i,t){__ez.dot.isDefined(i)&&__ez.dot.isValid(t)&&e.push({type:”video”,video_impression_id:i,domain_id:__ez.dot.getDID(),t_epoch:__ez.dot.getEpoch(0),data:__ez.dot.dataToStr(t)})},Fire:function(){if(void 0===document.visibilityState||”prerender”!==document.visibilityState){if(__ez.dot.isDefined(e)&&e.length>0)for(;e.length>0;){var i=5;i>e.length&&(i=e.length);var t=e.splice(0,i),o=__ez.dot.getURL(“/detroitchicago/grapefruit.gif”)+”?orig=”+(!0===__ez.template.isOrig?1:0)+”&v=”+btoa(JSON.stringify(t));__ez.dot.Fire(o)}e=[]}}})}();]]> [] The Forrest Fenn Treasure Has Brought More than Riches… <![CDATA[ window._wpemojiSettings = {"baseUrl":"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/72×72/","ext":".png","svgUrl":"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/svg/","svgExt":".svg","source":{"concatemoji":"https://homesteading.com/wp-includes/js/wp-emoji-release.min.js?ver=6.1.1"}}; /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(e,a,t){var n,r,o,i=a.createElement("canvas"),p=i.getContext&&i.getContext("2d");function s(e,t){var a=String.fromCharCode,e=(p.clearRect(0,0,i.width,i.height),p.fillText(a.apply(this,e),0,0),i.toDataURL());return p.clearRect(0,0,i.width,i.height),p.fillText(a.apply(this,t),0,0),e===i.toDataURL()}function c(e){var t=a.createElement("script");t.src=e,t.defer=t.type="text/javascript",a.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(t)}for(o=Array("flag","emoji"),t.supports={everything:!0,everythingExceptFlag:!0},r=0;r tallest) { tallest = thisHeight; } }); group.height(tallest); } equalHeight($(“.dg-grid-shortcode .dg_grid-shortcode-col”)); $(window).resize(function() { equalHeight($(“.dg-grid-shortcode .dg_grid-shortcode-col”)); }); }); ]]>

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Can You Eat Coyote Meat and What Does It Taste Like?

coyotecoyote

Coyote meat is perfectly edible but something of an acquired taste. 

Many people refuse to eat coyote because it looks so much like a domestic dog, while its reputation as a dirty animal puts others off. 

I can understand why people may balk at the idea of eating coyote; after all, they eat almost anything, including whatever they find in your garbage can. 

Coyotes are opportunistic omnivores with a wide-ranging diet that can include rodents, rabbits, frogs, and even insects. They also enjoy various fruits and vegetables, including berries and melons. 

Unfortunately, coyotes will also feed on decomposing carcasses, a behavior that can negatively impact the flavor of their meat. 

Is Coyote Meat Safe to Eat?

When cooked thoroughly, coyote meat is just as safe as any other wild meat. The cooking process destroys any nasty toxins or pathogens that might be present in the meat. 

As with other wild meats, coyotes may contain a parasite called trichinella. A type of roundworm, trichinella, can cause a parasitic infection that causes abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. 

You can eliminate the risk of contracting trichinella by cooking coyote meat thoroughly. That means cooking it “until the juices run clear and the meat is no longer pink.” 

You should use a meat thermometer to reduce the risk of food-borne disease. Coyote meat is only safe to eat once it reaches an internal temperature of around 160°F.

Coyotes are also prone to common diseases, including rabies. Although “thorough cooking will inactivate the rabies virus,” you should still avoid eating infected animals. 

If you shoot an animal showing signs of illness, it’s best to discard the meat rather than risk infection by eating it. You should also be careful when handling the animal, as coming into contact with the raw meat can be risky.

Similarly, if you shoot a coyote in the abdomen, the intestinal contents can contaminate the meat, rendering it inedible. 

What Does Coyote Meat Taste Like?

Coyote meat has a strong flavor and gristly texture that many people find off-putting. Others find it tastes similar to pork, while others say it tastes like a cross between chicken and venison.

The flavor of coyote meat varies seasonally due to changes in the animal’s diet. A coyote hunted in the winter will taste far nicer than one shot during the summer months. 

In summer, you may need to soak coyote meat in a brine solution to tenderize and cleanse the meat. Adding antibacterial herbs like garlic and ginger also reduces bacteria buildup and enhances the flavor. 

This is because the hot weather causes meat to rot faster, meaning that coyotes feed on more carrion and decomposing meat during the summer than in the winter. 

Lean cuts of coyote meat are generally more flavorful as the fat can add an unpleasant, gamey flavor to the meat.   

Is it Legal to Hunt and Eat Coyote? 

In most states, hunting coyote all…

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8 Tips for Preppers With Chronic Pain

No matter how well you take care of yourself, you can’t always escape chronic pain. Millions of people across the globe are impacted by it on a regular basis. In fact, 10% of the world’s population deals with chronic pain. While it stems from various causes, it can be debilitating and severely reduce your overall quality of life.

As a prepper, you already think about how to keep yourself healthy and sustained through emergency situations. But, if you’re someone who deals with chronic pain, that’s also something to keep in mind as you prepare for the future.

Let’s cover eight tips you can use to manage your pain, stay on track with your prepping efforts, and make sure you can take care of the pain you feel even in less-than-ideal circumstances.

1. Understand the Source

One of the best things you can do to learn how to manage your chronic pain is to determine what’s causing it. Once you understand where your pain is coming from, you can form an effective strategy to deal with it.

Some of the common contributors to chronic pain include:

  • Being overweight
  • Illnesses like Lyme disease, diabetes, cancer, and shingles
  • Poor posture
  • A traumatic injury
  • Underlying health conditions

Obviously, some of these issues are easier to treat than others. If poor posture or being overweight are contributing to your pain, there are things you can do to remedy those problems quickly. If you have a medical condition or specific illness, it’s important to talk to your doctor about which medications or other forms of treatment might be able to help.

2. Be Realistic With Your Expectations

When you’re struggling with severe pain and trying to stay on track with a prepping schedule, it’s easy to get frustrated. Realistically, you’re not going to be able to do everything you might want to do. You probably won’t even be able to do some of the physical things you did before.

Manage your expectations and be realistic. Fight back against frustration by shifting your focus on the things you can do, rather than dwelling on the things you can’t accomplish on your own. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from family members and friends. Chronic pain may cause you to swallow your pride a bit, but it doesn’t have to completely bring you down. There’s plenty you can still take care of, and you can use this as an opportunity to educate other people in your life about the importance of prepping.

3. Stay On Top of the News

While you might be limited in how you can prepare, physically, there’s no reason you can’t continue to be a sponge when it comes to keeping up with local, national, and global events. You likely already have at least one media source you trust, to stay up-to-date with whatever might be happening that could impact you now or in the future.

By keeping up with…

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Basic Auto Mechanic Skills To Fix Your Car Yourself | Homesteading Simple Self Sufficient Off-The-Grid

Basic Auto Mechanic Skills To Fix Your Car Yourself | Homesteading Simple Self Sufficient Off-The-Grid | Homesteading.com <![CDATA[ window._wpemojiSettings = {"baseUrl":"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/72×72/","ext":".png","svgUrl":"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/svg/","svgExt":".svg","source":{"concatemoji":"https://homesteading.com/wp-includes/js/wp-emoji-release.min.js?ver=6.1.1"}}; /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(e,a,t){var n,r,o,i=a.createElement("canvas"),p=i.getContext&&i.getContext("2d");function s(e,t){var a=String.fromCharCode,e=(p.clearRect(0,0,i.width,i.height),p.fillText(a.apply(this,e),0,0),i.toDataURL());return p.clearRect(0,0,i.width,i.height),p.fillText(a.apply(this,t),0,0),e===i.toDataURL()}function c(e){var t=a.createElement("script");t.src=e,t.defer=t.type="text/javascript",a.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(t)}for(o=Array("flag","emoji"),t.supports={everything:!0,everythingExceptFlag:!0},r=0;r tallest) { tallest = thisHeight; } }); group.height(tallest); } equalHeight($(“.dg-grid-shortcode .dg_grid-shortcode-col”)); $(window).resize(function() { equalHeight($(“.dg-grid-shortcode .dg_grid-shortcode-col”)); }); }); ]]>

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Meta Fined €390M Over Targeted Advertising, Ordered to Comply With GDPR

Ireland’s Data Protection Commission today ordered Meta to pay fines of €390 million for unlawfully collecting personal data and targeting ads at Facebook and Instagram users. The fines follow last month’s ruling by the European Data Protection Board that Meta cannot use its terms of service as a legal basis for targeted advertising. The Irish DPC also gave Meta three months to bring its targeted advertising into compliance with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation, which will likely require the company to give users a simple way to opt out of all targeted ads.

The GDPR generally prohibits companies from forcing users to submit to personal data collection in exchange for a service. Meta has long argued that the GDPR’s contractual necessity exception allows the company to collect personal data to fulfill its terms of service and that personal data collection for targeted advertising is a necessary aspect of the platform. In other words: Meta contends that users are in a contract to receive targeted ads.

But the EDPB rejected Meta’s use of the contractual necessity exception in December, and today’s order by the Irish DPC implements that ruling. The complaints that led to the DPC’s enforcement action were brought in 2018 by Max Schrems, co-founder of None of Your Business and a member of the EPIC Advisory Board.

“This decision serves as another reminder that European citizens have rights that Americans do not,” said EPIC Deputy Director Caitriona Fitzgerald. “Congress’ failure to pass a privacy law has allowed companies like Meta to profit off our most intimate personal information without limit. Congress must pass a comprehensive privacy bill this year that promotes innovation while protecting privacy.”

EPIC has long supported protections for the privacy of social media users. EPIC recently submitted comments on the Federal Trade Commission’s commercial surveillance rulemaking. In addition to urging a ban on targeted advertising directed at minors, EPIC reiterated its call for the FTC to adopt a data minimization rule to ensure that businesses only collect data consistent with consumer expectations. EPIC also supports passage of the American Data Privacy and Protection Act, which would place strict limits on targeted advertising and establish a universal opt-out mechanism for consumers.

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