Roularta Media Group – €50,000 Fine (Belgium, 2022)
Roularta Media Group was fined for using pre-ticked boxes and placing cookies on users' devices before getting their consent. This matters because it shows that companies must be clear and honest about cookie usage and respect users' choices. Website operators should ensure they get proper consent before using cookies.
What happened
Roularta Media Group placed non-essential cookies on users' devices before obtaining consent.
Who was affected
Website visitors whose data was collected through cookies without their consent.
What the authority found
The authority found that Roularta violated GDPR rules by not obtaining valid consent for cookie usage.
Why this matters
This ruling emphasizes the importance of clear consent mechanisms for cookies. Other companies should review their practices to avoid similar penalties.
GDPR Articles Cited
The Belgian DPA has imposed a fine of EUR 50,000 on Roularta Media Group. As part of its investigation, the DPA found that the cookie management on two websites operated by Roularta did not comply with the GDPR. In order to use cookies, controllers must obtain prior consent from the user, except in cases where the cookies are strictly necessary for website operation. The DPA found that consent to the processing of personal data through cookies on websites operated by Roularta was not valid, as not all necessary conditions were met. As such, about 60 cookies that were not required had been placed by the websites on visitors' devices even before they had given their consent. Roularta had also failed to sufficiently inform users about cookies. In addition, the boxes for consent to the placement of cookies by third parties were checked in advance, although users must always actively consent. In addition, the DPA found that users could not revoke their consent to cookie placement as easily as they had given it.
Violations (5)
Cookie consent checkboxes are pre-selected by default, violating the requirement for active, affirmative consent.
Art. 4(11) GDPR
Non-essential cookies (tracking, advertising) are placed on the user's device before obtaining valid consent.
Art. 6(1) GDPR
Third-party tracking cookies or scripts are loaded without obtaining prior user consent.
Art. 13, 14 GDPR
The cookie banner or cookie policy provides vague, incomplete, or unclear information about what cookies are used and why.
Art. 12, 13 GDPR
No accessible mechanism exists for users to withdraw previously given cookie consent.
Art. 7(3) GDPR
Related Enforcement Actions (0)
No other enforcement actions found for Roularta Media Group in BE
This is the only recorded action for this entity in this jurisdiction.
Similar Cases
Enforcement actions with similar violations
Details
Fine Date
25 May 2022
Authority
Autorité de Protection des Données
Fine Amount
€50,000
Enforcement Tracker ID
ETid-1191
About this data
Cite as: Cookie Fines. Roularta Media Group - Belgium (2022). Retrieved from cookiefines.eu
Last updated: