Google Hit With $379 Million French Fine Over Cookie Consent Violations

Google has been handed a hefty €325 million ($379 million) fine by France’s data protection authority for breaching strict cookie consent rules, in a move that sets a precedent for global tech firms handling user data in Europe. The penalty comes as authorities intensify scrutiny of online privacy violations.

Key Takeaways

• Google fined $379 million for violating French cookie consent laws

• The penalty follows years of regulatory focus on user privacy and transparency

• The decision highlights growing enforcement of Europe’s digital regulations

Details Of The Violation

The French privacy regulator, known as the Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL), found that Google failed to properly obtain user consent before setting advertising cookies on browsers. Specifically, users setting up Google accounts were presented with options favoring personalized advertising, without being clearly informed about other choices—such as cookies for generic ads—or the fact that cookie acceptance was linked to access to essential Google services.

Additionally, Google was criticized for embedding advertisements within the Gmail service, where ads were displayed as emails within the “Promotions” and “Social” tabs. Regulators determined that this required explicit user consent, which was not obtained.

Previous And Ongoing Issues

This is not the first time Google’s data practices have come under fire in Europe. Earlier this week, Austrian authorities also demanded Google provide users with full access to their personal data, after a lengthy probe. In the US, regulatory scrutiny continues, with the Federal Trade Commission addressing related data privacy concerns involving Google’s parent company, Alphabet.

Other tech and e-commerce giants have faced similar challenges. Chinese e-commerce platform SHEIN received a separate €150 million fine from French authorities for cookie-related violations. In past months, both Google and SHEIN have responded to allegations by updating their consent mechanisms, yet regulators state that issues linger.

What Happens Next

Google has been ordered to bring its practices into compliance within six months or face further penalties of €100,000 per day. The company has indicated it is reviewing the decision. Regulators made it clear that obtaining valid consent—which is fully informed, freely given, and specific—is now a non-negotiable requirement for digital companies operating in the EU.

The trend marks a strengthening of EU data-protection laws in the digital age. The evolving regulatory landscape means that major platforms like Google must continue adapting to regional norms or risk more substantial fines and reputational harm.

The Broader Impact

The sizable fine underscores the increasing willingness of European authorities to enforce user privacy rights. It sends a strong signal to global technology firms that data consent and transparency are not optional. As scrutiny intensifies worldwide, compliance with local regulations will become ever more essential for large-scale tech operations.

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References

• Google Fined $379 Million by French Regulator for Cookie Consent Violations, The Hacker News.

• Google, SHEIN hit with massive fines in France​, Cybernews.

• Google, Shein fined total of EUR475 million in French cookie-rule violations | MLex, MLex.