The French data authority, CNIL, has fined Google and Amazon after investigations revealed that the tech giants were placing cookies on their websites, without the consent of consumers. In two orders, the CNIL placed a €100 million ($120 million) penalty on Google LLC and Google Ireland, and a €35 million ($42 million) on Amazon Europe. Websites use cookies primarily to collect information about users and can be used for targeted advertising. Both Google and Amazon were found to be in breach of the French Data Protect Act, in terms of pushing cookies prior to the consent of their users and poor transparency in explaining the functions of various cookies. Previously, in January 2019 the CNIL fined Google $57 million for failing transparency requirements under the European Unions' General Data Protection Regulation. Over the last few months, there has been increased scrutiny over Big Tech companies from regulators and legislatures across the world. The United States' Department of Justice recently launched a lawsuit against Google and a coalition of states has come together to take on Facebook. Earlier in November, the European Commission launched an antitrust investigation into Amazon’s marketplace and retail practices in Germany and France, while Competition Commission of India has opened several investigations into Google, from its policies on the Play Store to alleged abuse of the smartphone Operating Systemm market, and in the smart TV market. Violations by Amazon In the case of Amazon, the restricted committee of the CNIL found that when users visited amazon.fr (French…
