Lrn&Shr
Latest News / Articles
France fines Google, Facebook over cookies
Jan 16, 2022
Cookies are small files which are stored on a user's computer. They are designed to hold a modest amount of data specific to a particular client and website, and can be accessed either by the web server or the client computer. This allows the server to deliver a page tailored to a particular user, or the page itself can contain some script which is aware of the data in the cookie and so is able to carry information from one visit to the website (or related site) to the next. (source: whatarecookies.com)
The French government is fining the tech giants millions over data that tracks users' activity. They've given the companies three months to comply or face further fines.
France's National Commission for Information Technology and Freedom (CNIL) on 6th Jan 2022, hit Facebook and Google with €210 million ($237 million) in fines.
"CNIL has determined that the sites facebook.com, google.fr and youtube.com do not allow users to refuse the use of cookies as simply as to accept them," the regulator mentioned, referring to blocks of data that track online activity and can be used for targeted advertising, a major source of income for both companies.
Google, which also owns YouTube, was fined €150 million, breaking a record €100-million fine the company received in December 2020 over similar practices. Facebook has received a €60-million fine.
According to CNIL, The two companies have three months to adapt their methods or they will be fined €100,000 a day.
In a statement to French news agency AFP, Google said it would change its practices in accordance with the decision.
"In accordance with the expectations of internet users... we are committed to implementing new changes, as well as to working actively with CNIL in response to its decision," the firm mentioned.
Following the implementation of a 2018 EU law meant to protect consumer privacy, companies are required to inform people about their use of cookies and ask for consent. CNIL has argued that many companies make it much clearer and easier to accept the use of cookies than to reject them. In 2020, it fined Amazon €60 million over its practices and mentioned that it has sent 90 formal notices to websites this year.
Share This:
To Know About Online Learning Resources, 'Learning Module' - Value-Added-Skills for Assistance Services Contact Us at +91 9967646987 / 9967001619 or Email us at clrnandshr@gmail.com