Print Magazine
Brussels Morning Newspaper
Monday, May 16, 2022
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
    • About Us
  • EU institutions
    • Commission
    • Parliament
    • Council
  • Europe
  • World
  • Economy
  • Culture and Society
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • The American Angle
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Southeast Europe
Brussels Morning Newspaper
  • Home
    • About Us
  • EU institutions
    • Commission
    • Parliament
    • Council
  • Europe
  • World
  • Economy
  • Culture and Society
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • The American Angle
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Southeast Europe
Brussels Morning Newspaper
No Result
View All Result
Home Europe

France issues Google and Amazon million-euro fines

Nikola Kiš by Nikola Kiš
11 December 2020
in Europe
France issues Google and Amazon million-euro fines

iPhone showing Amazon logo and credit card shopping online.

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Brussels (Brussels Morning) France’s data privacy watchdog, the National Commission on Informatics and Liberty (CNIL), has fined US tech giants Google and Amazon 100 million and 35 million euros, respectively, RFI reported yesterday, Thursday.

The CNIL fines cite the two tech companies for placing advertising cookies on their users’ devices without consent, and notes that the companies failed to inform the users about this. Cookies are small packages of data stored on user devices that websites use to indentify track user activity, a crucial aspect of targeted advertising as well as for improving user experience.

CNIL’s steepest fine thus far

The fine on Google, the largest CNIL has imposed to date, is based on the fact that some 90% of internet users in France use Google’s search engine. CNIL notes that the website google.fr automatically placed several advertising cookies on the devices of users visiting its site, indicating that no further action was required on the user’s part. 

The privacy watchdog points out that the situation with one page on the amazon.fr site is similar. “No matter what path the users used to visit the website, they were either insufficiently informed or never informed of the fact that cookies were placed on their computer.” This was in violation of data privacy regulations, CNIL says, since such cookies may only be placed after obtaining user consent.

More adjustments needed

Since Google and Amazon implemented changes in September, their websites ask for consent before placing cookies on users’ device.

However, CNIL cites the lack of transparency, noting that neither company provides clear or complete information about their cookie policies and the option to refuse them.

In addition to criticising Google for failing to provide privacy information and inform users about the placement of cookies, CNIL points out how Google’s procedures to block cookies still left one operational.

It ordered the two tech giants to implement required changes within three months or face additional fines.

Google, Amazon respond

Google insists it provides “upfront information and clear controls” to its users, with a company representative complaining that “French rules and regulatory guidance are uncertain and constantly evolving.”

Amazon complained as well, asserting that it continuously updates personal data protection policies to keep up with expectations of regulators and needs of users.

Tags: AmazonGoogleMain-SliderUS tech giants

Latest post

Eiffel Tower

What Are 10 Best Budget Hotels In Paris?

9 hours ago
White,Mannequins,,,With,Heather,On,A,Dark,Green,Forest

Portugal features sustainable fashion practices at Brussels event

12 hours ago

Most Read

  • shutterstock_1821616664

    MEPs send Open Letter urging the Home Secretary Priti Patel to reject Assange’s extradition

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • These are the 10 highest paying jobs in the Europe in 2022

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Brussels residents want to set up school for Ukrainian children

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Why corruption matters

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Sweden: Taking Syrian children away from parents for protection?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Facebook Twitter Youtube LinkedIn

About Us

Brussels Morning is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.

Category

  • Ambassador’s Corner
  • Belgium News
  • Brussels
  • Commission
  • Council
  • Culture and Society
  • Diplomacy
  • Economy
  • EU Institutions
  • Europe
  • Europe With Transparency
  • Features
  • In Depth
  • Member States
  • Middle East Eye
  • Opinion
  • Our pick
  • Parliament
  • Place de la Bourse
  • Southeast Europe
  • Sustainable Perspective
  • The American Angle
  • The Macro-Economist
  • Uncategorised
  • US Elections
  • World

More info

  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Cookies Policy
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ
  • Jobs

Brussels Morning Newspaper - All Rights Reserved © 2020

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • EU Institutions
    • Parliament
    • Commission
    • Council
  • Europe
  • World
  • Member States
  • Economy
  • Culture and Society
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • The American Angle
    • Southeast Europe
  • Print Magazine

Brussels Morning Newspaper - All Rights Reserved © 2020

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT