France Fines Google and SHEIN Over Cookie Violations

The French data protection regulator, CNIL, has issued record-breaking fines against search giant Google and fashion e-commerce platform SHEIN. The companies were penalized for failing to comply with laws regarding web cookies.

Key Details of the Fines

• SHEIN: Fined €150 million.
• Google: Fined €325 million.

Why were they fined?

The CNIL found that both companies placed advertising cookies on users’ computers without obtaining proper consent. Specifically regarding SHEIN, the regulator noted that the company:

1. Collected massive amounts of data from 12 million monthly users in France.
2. Failed to provide clear information to users.
3. Did not offer an easy way for users to withdraw their consent.

Background and Context

• What are Cookies? Small files stored in browsers used to track user activity, which are essential for online advertising and the business models of large platforms.
• Google’s History: This is the third time Google has been fined by CNIL for cookie issues. Previous fines included €100 million in 2020 and €150 million in 2021.
• Current Status: SHEIN has reportedly updated its systems to comply with French and EU laws. Both companies still have the right to appeal these decisions.

***Photo Reference:https://therecord.media/shein-google-fines-advertising-cookies-france-cnil***