French authorities fined Google 378 million dollars

French authorities fined Google 325 million euros (about 378 million dollars - ed.) for non-compliance with advertising rules and user activity tracking.

As reported by BAKU.WS, this follows from a statement on the website of the French Data Protection Authority (CNIL).

According to the agency, Google offered users alternatives when refusing a service, "encouraging them to choose one option over another." For example, by making one choice more complicated compared to another.

"Although such a practice is not illegal in itself, provided there is voluntary consent, the various alternatives offered to the user must be presented in a balanced manner... Consent must also be informed, meaning the user must have a full and clear understanding of the consequences of their choice," the statement says.

In March 2024, the French Antitrust Authority fined Google 250 million euros (about 291.5 million dollars - ed.) for failing to fulfill several commitments made in June 2022. The regulator stated that the company violated four of the seven commitments, including violations of provisions on conducting fair negotiations and obligations to provide necessary information to media outlets for transparent assessment of their compensation.