High Court told of 'devastating consequences' for Facebook if commissioner decision stands

Facebook is seeking to quash the Data Protection Commissioner's decision that transfers to the US be suspended and to her decision to conduct an inquiry.

There are 410 million Facebook and Instagram users in Europe, an estimated 25 million of them are business users, the court heard. File picture: Pexels

Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) Helen Dixon's "preliminary draft decision" to conduct an inquiry into and suspend data transfers by Facebook Ireland to the US will have "devastating" consequences for the social media giant's business if it is allowed to stand, the High Court has heard.

In 2018, some US€228 billion was generated through the use of Facebook services, which include Instagram, Paul Sreenan SC for Facebook said.