Google and Facebook have reportedly been fined millions by France’s data protection agency for using “dark patterns,” a type of coercive user interface design, to confuse users into accepting tracking cookies. Google faces a fine of $170 million and Facebook $68 million, which represent a minuscule percentage of Big Tech’s massive profits.
The Verge reports that France’s data protection agency, CNIL, has fined Google €150 million ($170 million) and Facebook €60 million ($68 million) for making it too hard for users to reject tracking cookies on websites. The companies have three months to fix the issue and how it affects users in France.