Amazon slammed with $887 million fine by EU privacy regulators

Luxembourg's privacy regulator has found Amazon in violation of laws related to privacy and advertising, issued a record $887 million fine.

The specific reasons for the fine were not disclosed, however Amazon says the decision was made without merit and it would appeal in court. The CNPD, Luxembourg's privacy regulator, ordered Amazon to revise its business practices and pay the fine.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the record high fine was made in line with the General Data Protection Regulation introduced three years ago. The previous highest fine was against Google, for $59 million in 2019.

Cross-boarder privacy cases require other EU privacy regulators to weigh in on the fine and adjust it accordingly. At least one complaint has already been issued suggesting that the fine isn't high enough.

Amazon responded to the fine, stating it was out of proportion with the law. "The decision relating to how we show customers relevant advertising relies on subjective and untested interpretations of European privacy law, and the proposed fine is entirely out of proportion with even that interpretation," the company said in a statement.

The fine comes after the EU announced new legislation in December that would incur even larger fees if tech companies couldn't comply with antitrust and privacy regulations. Apple's own advertising segment may be next on the chopping block as French regulators have already begun a probe into the business.

19 Comments

bloggerblog 2514 comments · 16 Years

About 3 years ago

EU is desperate for cash, they're out to sue anyone with a treasure chest, I think this high fine is to prepare for the big one, Apple. I actually don't mind Amazon collecting my data while browsing their site, I already gave them my address, CC info, and I'm there to shop, no big deal if they show me what may interest me. What I do mind however is Google swiping my data across sites and without me knowing, only to build a profile that could be used and sold in many nefarious ways.

DAalseth 3033 comments · 6 Years

About 3 years ago

bloggerblog said:

EU is desperate for cash, they're out to sue anyone with a treasure chest, I think this high fine is to prepare for the big one, Apple. I actually don't mind Amazon collecting my data while browsing their site, I already gave them my address, CC info, and I'm there to shop, no big deal if they show me what may interest me. What I do mind however is Google swiping my data across sites and without me knowing, only to build a profile that could be used and sold in many nefarious ways.

I agree about the EU, but they aren’t the only one hunting for cash. However if they are going to go after privacy violators, Apple might have the deepest pockets, but they aren’t anywhere near the most flagrant violators.

That said though, I will always cheer when someone takes a bite out of Amazon. The more the better.

bfranks 24 comments · 5 Years

About 3 years ago

That’s “walking around money” for Amazon, they can write that off, but it does open the door for more legal action, so Amazon will fight it.

lkrupp 10521 comments · 19 Years

About 3 years ago

“The problem with socialism is you eventually run out of other people’s money.”

Margaret Thatcher

gatorguy 24608 comments · 13 Years

About 3 years ago

bloggerblog said:

I actually don't mind Amazon collecting my data while browsing their site, I already gave them my address, CC info, and I'm there to shop, no big deal if they show me what may interest me. What I do mind however is Google swiping my data across sites and without me knowing, only to build a profile that could be used and sold in many nefarious ways.

LOL. Of course it's about Google in an Amazon thread. Yesterday it was about Google in a Facebook thread.

Just for giggles tho, what are these nefarious (wicked) ways you imagine your Google profile is used? It's already a known fact, even if maybe not to you, that they don't sell it.