CNIL gave both the firms three months to change the way they tell consumers how their data is used and how they can reject cookies
The search engine giant Google and globe’s biggest e-commerce platform Amazon have been fined by the French data privacy regulatory body Commission Nationale Informatique & Libertés (CNIL) for not seeking user’s permission to accept cookies. Google is fined with an amount of EUR 100 Million (approx Rs 900 crores), while Amazon is fined with EUR 35 Million (approx Rs 300 crores).
According to a report of PTI, the data privacy body stated that the French websites of both companies did not request prior consent from internet users about trackers, or cookies that were automatically saved on computers for advertising purposes.
It further added both the companies also failed to provide clear information to users about the purposes of these cookies and how they might refuse them. The CNIL noted that both companies made changes to their websites in September, yet said efforts were not sufficient to be in line with French rules, reported by PTI.
In the case of Google, it noted it had derived “significant profits” from the advertising income indirectly generated from data collected by the cookies and said that the practices affected “almost fifty million users.” The CNIL the size of the fines was justified by “the seriousness” of the breaches.
The watchdog gave Google and Amazon three months to change the way they tell consumers how their data is used and how they can reject cookies. Otherwise, they will face an additional fine of 100,000 euros ($121,095) for each day of delay.
