Nathan Vandergunst, a YouTuber and influencer known as Acid, has been fined by the Belgian Economic Inspectorate for failing to provide his private address on his social media profiles.
Vandergunst revealed on YouTube that he would not disclose the address "for the safety of the people in this house." He also indicated his refusal to pay the fine, which could amount to €80,000. He asked his supporters in a YouTube video about whether he should sue the Ministry of Economy for privacy violations.
Last summer, several influencers received warnings from the Federal Economy Ministry, advising that their address and business numbers must be included on their social media profiles. This is a requirement for anyone who makes paid online advertisements, according to a European directive. Non-compliance puts individuals at risk of a fine.
Eva De Bleeker, the former State Secretary for Consumer Protection, shared her concerns with the influencers. "It can’t be the intention that anyone with potentially ill intent can personally approach influencers," she stated.
Matthias Dobbelaere-Welvaert, a privacy expert, labelled the measure on X, formerly known as Twitter, as "utterly ridiculous". He wrote, "While no one denies that influencers should have some accountability, expecting them to add their private address online for millions of followers to see is madness."
The Ministry of Economy confirmed that Vandergunst received a report "for not mentioning his business address on his social media channels," and stated he was not the only influencer under scrutiny.
A first warning was issued in August 2022, followed by a reminder in January this year. If the offender pays the fine and makes necessary adjustments, the case will be closed. "If not, a criminal procedure can be started, with a court deciding the fine that could range between 208 and 80,000 euros. An administrative prosecution may also be chosen," the ministry said.
The Belgian authorities suggest influencers using a home business address could use an accredited business centre. Influencers using such a centre’s address would be required to conduct activities there. “Merely redirecting post is not considered an activity,” clarified the FPS. Current State Secretary Alexia Bertrand agreed with this reaction.
