France Fines Google and SHEIN Over Cookie Policy Deficiencies
Paris, France – September 4, 2025 – French data protection authorities have levied significant fines against technology giant Google and fast-fashion retailer SHEIN for non-compliance with regulations concerning user cookie consent. The fines, announced by the Agence Nationale de la Sécurité des Systèmes d’Information (ANSSI), stem from investigations into the companies’ practices regarding the collection and management of user data through website cookies.
The ANSSI’s findings indicated that both Google and SHEIN failed to provide users with adequately clear and accessible options to refuse cookies. Current European Union regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the ePrivacy Directive, mandate that individuals must have the freedom to consent to or reject the use of non-essential cookies. These cookies are often used for tracking user behavior, advertising, and analytics.
In the case of Google, the French authority highlighted issues with the consent mechanisms employed on some of its services. It was reported that users were presented with complex or less straightforward pathways to reject all cookies, inadvertently leading many to accept them due to convenience or a lack of clear understanding. This, according to the ANSSI, hindered the principle of informed and free consent, a cornerstone of data privacy legislation.
Similarly, the fast-fashion behemoth SHEIN faced scrutiny for its cookie practices. Investigations revealed that the company’s website also presented challenges for users seeking to decline cookie usage. The ANSSI’s assessment suggested that the process for opting out was not as simple or as prominent as the option to accept cookies, thereby potentially pressuring users into agreeing to data collection they might not have otherwise consented to.
These regulatory actions underscore the ongoing commitment of European data protection agencies to uphold stringent privacy standards for internet users. The fines serve as a clear signal to online businesses that transparency and user empowerment in data handling are not optional but essential components of legal and ethical operation.
By imposing these penalties, France aims to reinforce the importance of user control over personal data and encourage companies to adopt more robust and user-friendly consent management systems. The ANSSI’s decision is expected to prompt a review of cookie policies across the digital landscape, pushing for greater clarity and ease of choice for individuals navigating the online world. Businesses operating within the EU, or targeting EU citizens, are advised to meticulously review their cookie consent procedures to ensure full compliance with prevailing data protection laws and to safeguard user privacy effectively.
France fines Google, SHEIN for undercooked cookie policies that led to crummy privacy
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