Google may soon be hit with a massive €525 million fine in France after regulators accused the tech giant of breaching privacy laws through Gmail’s ad practices. If finalized, this would mark the largest fine ever issued by France’s data protection authority.
The Commission nationale de l’informatique et des libertés (CNIL) is investigating claims that Google used tracking cookies and served personalized ads in Gmail without properly obtaining user consent. These ads often appear as banner-style promotions that mimic regular emails, sparking concerns among users.
During a public hearing on June 26, CNIL officials argued that Google automatically installs tracking cookies when users set up their Gmail accounts. Critics say this tactic bypasses informed consent and fuels highly targeted advertising that compromises user privacy.
Moreover, the practice has been labeled misleading by some privacy advocates, who argue that ads designed to look like emails confuse users and undermine trust in the platform. CNIL is reviewing whether this violates FrGoogle faces possible €525 million fine in France over gmail ad trackingance’s strict data protection rules under GDPR.
Although Google has yet to comment on the case, the potential penalty would surpass CNIL’s previous record fine of €150 million against Meta in 2022. The outcome could also influence how European regulators enforce consent rules across digital platforms.
As the investigation continues, the case highlights growing pressure on Big Tech companies to respect user privacy. European regulators remain firm in using GDPR as a global benchmark for holding corporations accountable for their data practices.