The American internet giants Google and Facebook have been fined 150 and 60 million euros in France, respectively. In addition, the French data protection authority CNIL imposes fines for the companies’ practices in the field of cookies.

Cookies are small data packets that allow companies to keep track of what users do via the internet, among other things. They are used, among other things, for personalized advertising. Cookies are often denounced for violating the privacy of surfers.

“CNIL has determined that the websites facebook.com, google.fr and youtube.com do not allow to refuse cookies ‘as easily’ as to accept them,” the French data protection authority said.

The two platforms have three months to sort themselves out. Otherwise, they will each have to pay penalty payments of 100,000 euros per day of delay. However, in response to the French news agency AFP, Google has already said that it will adjust its practices.

The fine for Google is a record for the company in France. In December 2020, the internet giant was already fined 100 million euros by CNIL. This also had to do with not respecting the rules regarding cookies.