French privacy watchdog slaps $163 million fine on Google, Amazon

The French Privacy Watchdog CNIL slapped financial penalties of 60 million euros against tech giant Google and a separate 40 million euros fine against Google Ireland and an additional 35 million euros (USD 42 million) on Amazon Europe (total of $163 million) for listing advertising cookies on users’ computers illegally.
CNIL’s restriction committee informed in an update that the agency imposed sanctions on the search engine and the online portal amazon for violating guidelines of the French Data Protection Act, having sought no prior permission for ad listing for the users. Companies committed at least three breaches of Article 82 of the French Data Protection Act.
The French websites of the firms breached Article 82 of France’s internet laws after they stored the cookies and used them for advertising purposes without the agreement from either the users or the government. The tech giants accumulated monetary profits without any transparency about the targeted adverts. The information banner listed by companies, for instance, stated, "By using this website, you accept our use of cookies allowing to offer and improve our services."