Google Bares Itself to the French Regulator – 50 Million Euros in Fines
In a blockbuster move that could shake the tech world, France’s data protection watchdog, the CNIL, slapped Google with a €50 million (about $77 million) fine on Monday. It’s the largest penalty ever handed down to a U.S. tech giant for violating the EU’s privacy rules.
Why the Penalty?
- Google failed to give users a clear and transparent explanation of how their personal data is handled.
- It didn’t secure proper consent before using users’ data for personalized advertising.
- The UK has a new generation of privacy laws – the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – that came into force in May and empowers regulators to fine companies up to 4 % of global revenue for breaches.
The CNIL spokesperson noted that the amount and the publicity behind the fine were justified by what they saw as “severe breaches of the core GDPR principles: transparency, information, and consent.”
Google’s “We’re Here to Help” Reply
Google replied that people expect a high standard of transparency and control from the search engine giant. They emphasized a commitment to meeting those expectations and the GDPR’s consent requirements, and they said they’re looking into the next steps to fix the problem.
What Gave the CNIL the Green Light?
Two non‑governmental organisations – None Of Your Business (Noyb) and La Quadrature du Net (LQDN) – filed complaints. The CNIL said they were backed by 10,000 concerned individuals, which helped shape the case. The French authority is known for its strict interpretation of privacy rules and a tough stance on U.S. internet companies.
What This Means for Google (and Silicon Valley)
“More than just a pretty penny, this penalty directly challenges Google’s business model,” said Sonia Cisse, Managing Associate at Linklaters. “It will probably force them to revamp how they offer services drastically.”
So, if you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be called out for not “asking first,” Google’s just had a jolt from their French data guardian. The tech giant now has to navigate a tougher landscape, or else it might look like a monumental privacy blunder in the record books.
