Google fined €150M, Facebook €60M for for non-compliance with French legislation (cnil.fr)

Article summary

Google and Facebook have been fined by the French data protection authority, CNIL, for non-compliance with French legislation on cookies. The fines, €150M and €60M respectively, are a result of the companies' failure to provide users with a clear and easy way to reject non-essential cookies. The CNIL has been actively enforcing the cookie legislation since March 2021, with nearly 100 corrective measures taken against non-compliant websites and mobile applications. The legislation aims to protect users' privacy and provide them with more control over their personal data.

Main themes

• cookie legislation
• data protection
• user privacy
• tracking and behavioral data collection
• EU regulations
• compliance and enforcement

What commenters say

• The EU's cookie law has been poorly implemented and enforced, leading to confusion and frustration among users and website operators.
• The legislation is not just about cookies, but about tracking and behavioral data collection, and users should be aware of the difference.
• Some commenters argue that the law is too restrictive and that legitimate uses of cookies, such as for analytics and user experience, are being unfairly targeted.
• Others believe that the law does not go far enough in protecting users' privacy and that more stringent measures are needed to prevent tracking and data collection.
• There is disagreement over what constitutes an 'essential' cookie, with some arguing that cookies used for analytics and user experience are essential, while others believe they are not.
• The use of cookie banners and consent popups is seen as a necessary evil by some, while others believe they are overly intrusive and ineffective in protecting users' privacy.
• Some commenters suggest that the spirit of the law is being undermined by malicious compliance and a lack of transparency among website operators.
• The issue of cookie consent is complex and nuanced, and there is a need for clearer guidance and more effective enforcement of the legislation.