Meta Platforms' Facebook was also fined 60 million euros for
the same reason, the CNIL said.
Internet users' prior consent for the use of cookies -- tiny
snippets of data that help build targeted digital ad campaigns -- is a key
pillar of the European Union's data privacy regulation and a top priority for
the CNIL.
"When you accept cookies, it's done in just one
click," said Karin Kiefer, CNIL's head for data protection and sanctions.
"Rejecting cookies should be as easy as accepting them".
In its statement, the watchdog said it had found that the
facebook.com, google.fr and youtube.com websites didn't allow the refusal of
cookies easily, citing Google's video-streaming platform.
The CNIL said the two companies had three months to comply
with its orders or face an extra penalty payment of 100,000 euros per day of
delay
These include the obligation for Google and Facebook to
provide French internet users simpler tools for refusing cookies, in order to
guarantee their consent.
The CNIL said that while Google and Facebook provided a
virtual button to allow the immediate acceptance of cookies, there was no
equivalent to refuse them as easily.
"People trust us to respect their right to privacy and
keep them safe. We understand our responsibility to protect that trust and are
committing to further changes and active work with the CNIL in light of this
decision," a Google spokesperson said.
Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for
comment.
CNIL's previous record fine in 2020 also targeted Google and
amounted to 100 million euros.
At the time, the CNIL found that Google's French websites
didn't seek the prior consent of visitors before advertising cookies were saved
on computers and failed to provide clear information about how it intended to
make use of them.
Kiefer said the issues have been resolved since then.
In 2020, the CNIL strengthened consent rights over ad
trackers, saying websites operating in France should keep a register of
internet users' refusal to accept cookies for at least six months.
It also said internet users should be able to easily
reconsider any initial agreement concerning cookies via a web link or an icon
that should be visible on all the website pages.
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