France fined 60 million euros to Microsoft for forcing users to endure advertising watching as a condition of using the service. The French regulator announced this action on Thursday, noting that the Bing search engine did not provide a straightforward option for users to refuse cookies.
The National Commission on Information Technology and Freedoms CNIL concluded that when people visited the Microsoft search page, advertising cookies began to download without clear user consent. A button to accept ad viewing was present, but a simple, accessible option to decline was missing, a pattern seen on many websites.
The 60 million euro penalty was determined based on the large number of users affected by this practice, which conflicts with European Union law, and the substantial profits Microsoft earns from its ad business. In its most recent fiscal year, the company reported profits surpassing 72.7 billion dollars, marking a record high for the firm.
What are cookies
A cookie is a small data file sent by a website to a user’s computer whenever a connection is made. It can remember login details so a user does not have to reenter them each time, and it also stores preferences and browsing history to improve the user experience.
Beyond login convenience, cookies are used to observe user behavior and compile digital footprints. Third parties may collect this information to tailor advertisements and other marketing efforts when a user visits a site.
The General Data Protection Regulation GDPR requires websites to notify users and obtain permission before cookies are stored on their devices. In this case, the regulator found that Microsoft did not meet that standard. As a result, the company was ordered to fix the process and implement a system that allows users to opt out of tracking. The regulator gave Microsoft a three month period to make the changes, with the possibility of daily penalties if noncompliance continues.