French Regulator Fines Google and Shein for Cookie Regulation Violations.

Google and Shein have been fined by the French regulator for failing to comply with cookie regulations. The fines are part of efforts to enforce stricter privacy rules in Europe. Google's parent company Alphabet operates several businesses including search engines, video hosting, and home automation solutions. The company's net sales are primarily generated in the United States, with smaller contributions from other regions.

France's data protection authority, the CNIL, has imposed a €325 million fine on Google and a €150 million fine on Shein for violating cookie consent regulations. These fines are part of the CNIL's broader strategy to enforce data protection laws and emphasize user consent and transparency in digital platforms.

The CNIL fined Google for failing to secure users' informed consent before deploying advertising cookies. The ruling centers on Google's "cookie wall" during account creation and unsolicited Gmail ads, citing insufficient transparency and lack of user consent. The regulator also fined Shein €150 million for collecting data from 12 million users without proper consent. Both companies plan to appeal the decisions.

Google, in a statement, emphasized its compliance with previous CNIL demands and is reviewing the decision. The company faces increasing regulatory pressure across Europe, particularly in France, where the CNIL has taken a firm stance on data privacy. The rulings underscore the growing emphasis on user consent and transparency in the digital economy.

These fines highlight the challenges large tech companies face in aligning their business models with evolving legal standards. As digital platforms rely heavily on data collection for targeted advertising, the CNIL's actions signal a broader shift toward stricter enforcement of user rights and the need for more transparent consent mechanisms.

Reference List:
[1] https://www.france24.com/en/technology/20250903-french-fines-google-shein-cookies
[2] https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250903-record-french-fines-for-google-and-shein-over-cookies