France’s data protection watchdog has fined Google a record 325 million euros for breaking cookie rules, including showing ads in Gmail without user consent. This move, announced on September 3, 2025, also targets Chinese retailer Shein with a 150 million euro penalty, sparking fears of U.S. retaliation under President Donald Trump.
Details of the CNIL Penalties
The French regulator, known as CNIL, issued the fines after finding Google placed tracking cookies during account setup and inserted ads between emails in Gmail without proper user approval. This affects millions of French users who rely on Google’s services daily.
Shein faced similar charges for dropping cookies without consent and failing to honor user choices on its platform. The decisions highlight ongoing concerns about online privacy in Europe.
CNIL gave Google six months to fix these issues or face daily fines. The watchdog noted Google’s past violations, including penalties in 2020 and 2021 totaling 250 million euros for related cookie breaches.
Experts say these fines reflect stricter enforcement of EU data laws, aimed at protecting user rights in the digital age.
Google’s History of Privacy Issues
Google has faced repeated scrutiny from European regulators over data practices. In recent years, the company has been hit with multiple fines across the continent for various infractions.
For instance, in March 2024, France fined Google 250 million euros for using news content to train its AI without proper agreements. This pattern shows a growing tension between tech giants and EU authorities.
The latest penalty is the largest ever from CNIL against Google, underscoring the scale of the violations. With Gmail boasting over 1.8 billion users worldwide, the impact on advertising revenue could be significant.
Analysts point out that Google’s dominant role in online ads, controlling about 28 percent of the global market in 2025, makes such fines a major deterrent.
Here is a quick look at Google’s major EU fines in recent years:
| Year | Amount (Euros) | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 100 million | Cookie consent violations |
| 2021 | 150 million | Tracking without easy opt-out |
| 2024 | 250 million | AI training on news without permission |
| 2025 | 325 million | Gmail ads and cookie breaches |
This table illustrates the escalating penalties as regulators push for better compliance.
Shein’s Role in the Crackdown
Shein, the fast-fashion giant from China, received a 150 million euro fine for similar cookie mishandling on its e-commerce site. The company updated its systems during the investigation but plans to appeal, calling the penalty disproportionate.
This marks one of the first major actions against Shein in Europe, where it has rapidly grown to serve millions of shoppers. The fine addresses failures in informing users about data tracking and respecting their preferences.
Unlike Google, Shein operates mainly in retail, but the case shows CNIL’s broad reach into international firms affecting French consumers.
Risk of U.S. Trade Tensions
The fines come amid rising U.S.-EU trade friction, with President Trump warning of tariffs on nations seen as unfairly targeting American tech companies. Trump secured a trade deal in July 2025 that favored U.S. interests, but he has since ramped up threats against “discriminatory” rules.
European officials delayed a separate antitrust penalty against Google earlier this week to avoid escalation. By fining both a U.S. and Chinese firm simultaneously, France may aim to deflect bias claims.
Trump’s administration has imposed tariffs on EU goods before, such as in 2019 over digital taxes, leading to billions in economic impact. Current tensions could affect tech exports and broader trade relations.
Key factors influencing potential U.S. response include:
- The size of the fine against Google, seen as a direct hit on U.S. innovation.
- Ongoing EU probes into other American firms like Apple and Meta.
- Trump’s push for reciprocal trade policies in his second term.
Logical reasoning suggests that if Trump views this as anti-U.S., tariffs could target French luxury goods or wine, as in past disputes.
Broader Implications for Tech and Privacy
This case signals a tougher stance on data privacy worldwide, with Europe leading the charge through laws like GDPR. Companies must now ensure clear consent mechanisms to avoid hefty penalties.
For users, it means better control over personal data, potentially reducing unwanted ads and tracking. However, firms argue such rules hinder innovation and raise costs.
In the U.S., similar privacy bills are gaining traction in states like California, inspired by EU models. Globally, countries like India and Brazil are adopting stricter data laws in 2025.
The fines could push Google and others to overhaul ad systems, affecting how billions interact online.
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