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Fnac Darty fined 7 million euros by CNIL for data privacy violations
The French data protection authority, CNIL, has imposed a total of 7 million euros in fines on two companies within the Fnac Darty group for violating personal data regulations. The sanctions follow an investigation into the Fnac mobile application, which was found to be using digital trackers, or cookies, to monitor user browsing habits without obtaining prior consent.
According to the CNIL, these trackers collected information on products viewed by users to personalize commercial recommendations, suggest complementary products, and train the company’s recommendation algorithms. The regulator noted that the companies failed to respect the choices of users who explicitly refused such tracking. The fine is split between Fnac Darty Participations et Services, which was fined 6 million euros, and its subsidiary Fnac Direct, which received a 1 million euro fine.
In addition to the financial penalties, the CNIL issued an injunction requiring the group to comply with the law within one month, subject to a daily penalty of 10,000 euros for non-compliance. The investigation was prompted by a complaint from the privacy advocacy group NOYB. Fnac has contested the legal analysis, stating that the features in question were intended as advisory services rather than targeted advertising, and has reserved the right to appeal the decision.
Entities
CNIL · Fnac Darty · Fnac Direct · France · noyb
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Fnac mobile app used trackers to collect browsing history without user consent. entrevue.fr · information.tv5monde.com · www.sudouest.fr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Fnac Darty Participations et Services was fined 6 million euros. entrevue.fr · information.tv5monde.com · www.sudouest.fr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Fnac Direct was fined 1 million euros. entrevue.fr · information.tv5monde.com · www.sudouest.fr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Collected data was used to train recommendation algorithms and personalize product suggestions. entrevue.fr · information.tv5monde.com · www.sudouest.fr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The investigation originated from a complaint by the association NOYB. entrevue.fr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Fnac contests the legal analysis and reserves the right to appeal. information.tv5monde.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The group must comply with the law within one month or face a 10,000 euro daily fine. www.sudouest.fr
- [● 3 SOURCES] CNIL imposed a total fine of 7 million euros on Fnac Darty group companies. entrevue.fr · information.tv5monde.com · www.sudouest.fr