French Regulators fine Google, Facebook combined $235 million over cookie tracking

Google and Facebook combined are facing a fine of $235 million for cookie tracking in France, as per a report by Politico.  

According to the report, the French tech regulator Commission Nationale de I’informatique et Des Libertes (CNIL) looks at fining Google 150 million euros and Facebook 60 million euros for failing to complying with French data privacy rules.  

The fine is imposed for “failing to allow French users to easily reject cooki tracking technology.” 

“​​We are reviewing the authority’s decision and remain committed to working with relevant authorities,” a Facebook’s holding company Meta spokesperson was quoted as saying in the report. 

“Our cookie consent controls provide people with greater control over their data, including a new settings menu on Facebook and Instagram where people can revisit and manage their decisions at any time, and we continue to develop and improve these controls,” it added.  

Google did not respond in the report, and CNIL would not prior the action is made public on the website. 

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The search engine giant was fined 100 million euros by CNIL in December 2020 for cookie violation under the e-privacy rules. 

According to a ZDNext report, “Google was hit with a 225 million euro fine in September for not being transparent about how it shared data with its parent company. Facebook itself is facing millions in fines for violating GDPR privacy rules about deceptive data collection policies.” 

Mid last year, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) ordered an investigation into Google’s market practices. It was accused of misusing its dominant position in the market to let android phones have Google apps pre-installed. 

Earlier last year, the CCI had contented before a single judge-bench that it was not probing the apparent violation of individuals’ privacy which was under the supervision of the Supreme Court. It had put forward before the court that the new privacy policy of WhatsApp would lead to extreme data gathering and “stalking” of consumers for targeted advertising. 

Last week, CCI ordered a detailed probe into tech giant Apple’s alleged biased business practices for its App store. The CCI said that Apple’s App Store is the only channel for app developers to distribute their apps to iOS consumers which is pre-installed on every iPhone and iPad. 

Big Technology conglomerates are facing anti-trust enquiry from all over the globe. Security and privacy of the users being the major concerns in how the tech giants are operating in the market.