Facebook makes it easier for the French to refuse cookies and thus avoids a fine

According to the French privacy regulator, Facebook should not pay a penalty of 100,000 euros per day because it allows the French to simply refuse cookies. The company had been fined 60 million euros for this at the end of last year and risked a penalty.

According to the French privacy regulator Facebook has taken the necessary steps within the predetermined period of three months to comply with French law. The regulator demanded early this year that all residents of France should be able to easily refuse optional cookies when they visit Facebook’s website.

The social media company adapted and now shows an option in France that allows users to choose with one click to only allow essential cookies. In theory, optional cookies can therefore be prevented. The option to allow both types of cookies is also listed. As a result of this measure, Facebook does not have to pay a penalty of 100,000 euros per day, as the CNIL had proposed. Despite the fact that Facebook now follows French law, the CNIL says it will continue to monitor whether the social media company remains in line.

Google also came in the crosshairs of the French privacy watchdog justifiably. The CNIL issued a $150 million fine to the American search giant in January this year because the company also did not offer a simple option to refuse cookies on its platforms. At the end of April, Google shared details about its new, custom cookie wall that will first be rolled out in France this year and then come to other parts of Europe. The American search giant said it worked closely with the French regulator to comply with the requirements.