Google and Shein fined $553M by French data regulator over cookie violations
Published: 12:27 04 Sep 2025 EDT
France's data protection authority, the CNIL (Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés), has imposed a combined fine of €475 million ($553.9 million) on Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)'s Google and fast fashion retailer Shein for violating French regulations on cookies and online tracking.
In a statement released late Wednesday, CNIL said it fined Google $378 million and Shein $174 million for failing to comply with the rules of cookies placed on people using their websites.
The regulator noted that Google should have asked for users' consent to display advertisements in emails through Gmail's "Promotions" and "Social" tabs, saying that it believes about 53 million users were served ads without having given explicit permission, which is required under European data protection laws.
“The way Google implemented advertising within Gmail bypassed user consent mechanisms, violating fundamental principles of transparency and freedom of choice,” CNIL stated.
Google is currently reviewing the decision, a company spokesperson responded.
Shein, meanwhile, said it rejects the verdict and will appeal it.
