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Google Fined Over Privacy In France

Google has reportedly been fined 150,000 euros ($203,500) by CNIL, France’s data protection watchdog for what it deems to be privacy violations. This is apparently the most they can fine a compa...
Google Fined Over Privacy In France
Written by Chris Crum
  • Google has reportedly been fined 150,000 euros ($203,500) by CNIL, France’s data protection watchdog for what it deems to be privacy violations. This is apparently the most they can fine a company, though it can be doubled in the case of a repeated offense.

    Google and CNIL have been going back and forth since Google revealed its big privacy policy changes back in 2012. The changes made it so that Google can easily share data from one of its products to the next without sharing any additional data with outside parties.

    The policy hasn’t been much of an issue here in the U.S., but France and other European countries have been very vocal in their opposition to it since it was announced.

    Bloomberg News shares a statement from Google:

    “We’ve engaged fully with the CNIL throughout this process to explain our privacy policy and how it allows us to create simpler, more effective services,” Google said in an e-mailed statement. “We’ll be reading their report closely to determine next steps.”

    The fine is hardly a huge blow to the tech giant. A $22.5 million fine the U.S. Federal Trade Commission handed to Google in 2012 was pretty much considered a mere slap on the wrist by man, considering the revenue Google generates. This fine is basically pocket change for the company.

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