French agency imposes record fine of 150 million euros against Google for cookie policy violation.
Facebook, owned by Meta Platforms, was also fined €60 million for the same reason.
Reuters The French data privacy agency CNIL said on Thursday it had fined Alphabet's Google a record 150 million euros ($169 million) for making it difficult for users to opt out of online tracking devices known as cookies. Meta Platforms' Facebook was also fined 60 million euros for the same reason, CNIL said.
Prior user consent for the use of cookies – small pieces of data that help build targeted digital advertising campaigns – is a fundamental pillar of European Union data privacy regulations and a top priority for the CNIL (French Data Protection Authority). "When you accept cookies, it's done with just one click," said Karin Kiefer, CNIL's head of data protection and sanctions. "Rejecting cookies should be as easy as accepting them."
In its statement, the agency said it had discovered that the websites facebook.com, google.fr and youtube.com -- which belongs to Google -- did not allow users to easily refuse cookies.
CNIL stated that companies have three months to comply with the instructions or they will face an additional penalty of 100 euros per day of delay.
This includes the obligation for Google and Facebook to provide French internet users with simpler tools to refuse cookies, in order to ensure their consent.
"People trust us to respect their right to privacy and keep them safe. We understand our responsibility to protect that trust and are committed to future changes and active work with the CNIL in light of this decision," said a Google spokesperson.
Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The previous record fine imposed by the CNIL, in 2020, also targeted Google and amounted to 100 million euros.
At the time, the CNIL discovered that Google's French websites were not seeking prior consent from visitors before cookies were saved on their computers, and the company had not provided the agency with clear information about how it intended to use them. Kiefer, from the CNIL, said the problems have since been resolved.
In 2020, the CNIL (French National Intelligence Service) tightened consent rights regarding ad trackers, stipulating that websites in France must keep a record of users' refusal of cookies for at least six months.
Furthermore, users should be able to easily reconsider any initial agreement regarding cookies via a web link or icon that should be visible on all pages of the website.
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