Google Fined 100 Million Euros, Amazon 35 Million; Know Why

Paris: Google has been fined a whopping 100 million euros for breaking rules on online advertising trackers, known as cookies, in France.

It is the largest amount of fine imposed by French data privacy watchdog CNIL, reports BBC News.

Amazon was also penalised for a similar breach, but their quantum of fine was lesser — 35 million euros.

According to CNIL, Google and Amazon’s French websites had not sought consent of visitors before advertising cookies were saved on their computers. They also didn’t provide information on how online trackers will be used and how visitors to the French websites could refuse the cookies.

The watchdog has given Google and Amazon three months to change information banners on their websites failing which they will be fined 100,000 euros per day until the changes are made.

“We stand by our record of providing upfront information and clear controls, strong internal data governance, secure infrastructure, and above all, helpful products. Today’s decision under French ePrivacy laws overlooks these efforts and doesn’t account for the fact that French rules and regulatory guidance are uncertain and constantly evolving,” Google said in a statement.

Amazon disagreed with ruling.

“We continuously update our privacy practices to ensure that we meet the evolving needs and expectations of customers and regulators and fully comply with all applicable laws in every country in which we operate,” it said in a statement.