Google LLC – €90,000,000 Fine (France, 2021)
Google LLC faced a EUR 90 million fine from France's CNIL for not allowing users to easily reject cookies. Users could accept cookies with one click but had to go through several steps to refuse them. This decision is crucial as it reinforces the need for user-friendly consent options.
What happened
Google's websites required users to navigate multiple steps to reject cookies while allowing easy acceptance.
Who was affected
Individuals in France visiting google.fr and youtube.com who were affected by cookie tracking.
What the authority found
The CNIL found that Google violated French data protection laws by making it harder for users to reject cookies than to accept them.
Why this matters
This ruling signals that companies must prioritize user consent and transparency. Website operators should ensure their cookie rejection options are straightforward.
National Law Articles
Insufficient legal basis for data processing
Violations (2)
Cookie banner does not provide a clear reject/refuse all button at the same level as the accept button.
Art. 7 GDPR
Refusing cookies requires more clicks or steps than accepting them, or the reject option is less visually prominent.
Art. 7 GDPR
Related Enforcement Actions (5)
Other enforcement actions involving Google LLC in FR
Fine
€90.0M
Similar Cases
Enforcement actions with similar violations
Details
Fine Date
31 December 2021
Authority
Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés
Fine Amount
€90,000,000
Enforcement Tracker ID
978
About this data
Cite as: Cookie Fines. Google LLC - France (2021). Retrieved from cookiefines.eu
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