France fines Google and Amazon for installing cookies without permission

December

17

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France announced this Thursday fines of 100 million euros for Google and 35 million for Amazon for their respective “cookie” policies and urges the two American internet giants to change their practices under the threat of new sanctions .

The CNIL, the French body for the surveillance of digital activity, explained in separate statements that these fines are justified, in particular, by the automatic introduction into the computers of users who connect to their web pages of these files for advertising purposes.

The National Commission for Informatics and Freedoms (CNIL) has insisted, in this regard, that “this type of ‘cookies’ cannot be installed without the user having expressed their consent.”

In addition, it considered that the information windows on “cookies” did not offer “any information” to that user about those that have already been installed on the computer since the moment they connected to the companies’ internet pages .

Finally, Cnil reproaches Google that even when the personalization of the ads was deactivated, one of the advertising “cookies” was still stored on the computer and continued to register content for the search engine.

According to his calculations, the practices of Google, which obtains advertising revenue indirectly thanks to the information collected with these instruments, have affected “about 50 million users” in France. The regulatory body insisted on the “seriousness” of the offenses committed by both groups, which since last September 20 have already modified their “cookies” policy.

However, with these changes, Internet users still cannot understand the purpose of these elements. That is why it calls on them to modify the information windows for clients within three months. If they do not, it will impose a payment of 100,000 euros for each day of delay .

In January 2019, Cnil had already imposed a fine of 50 million euros on Google for lack of transparency, incorrect information and lack of consent in personalized advertising.

From the American multinational they point out that their platform conforms to current legislation. “Today’s decision, under French digital privacy laws, ignores our efforts and does not take into account the fact that French standards and regulatory guidance are uncertain and constantly evolving.

We will continue to collaborate with the CNIL, as we make improvements, to understand their concerns, “company sources tell ABC.

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