French Internet users visiting Google's website have noticed an unusual message that has been posted since Saturday. The message informs users that Google will have to pay a fine of 150,000 euros for violating French privacy laws.
France's Commissions Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL)imposed the fine, along with the obligation to publish the notice, in January.
The CNIL found after audits that Google monitors its users and collects their private information. On its website, it explains exactly what Google can do with the data.
Google, on the other hand, paid the fine, and asked a French court on Thursday to suspend the order to publish the announcement, arguing that it would cause “irreparable damage” to the company’s reputation. The court rejected the motion and ordered Google to comply with the court order.
Statement: The Commissions Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL) sanctions committee has ordered Google to pay a fine of 150,000 euros for violations of the “data processing and freedoms” law. The decision is available at the following address: http://www.cnil.fr/linstitution/missions/sanctionner/Google/ .
To prevent any attempt by Google to hide the message, the CNIL asked for very specific things. It required Google to post it on its homepage, even giving the font size and colors of the message.
It is the first time a European country has forced Google to publish such an announcement, although the company has been under the microscope of European countries for years.
