Keep in mind that the fines are intended to be progressive. If they don't quit their current practices now that is is clear how the law should be interpreted, the next fine will be substantially larger.
But is 250k euros an appropriate fine for the personally identifiable information that’s been collected and associated with behavioural metrics, political preferences, confidential health data, and other private data points by the 600+ companies that make up IAB and their partners?
This is less than 500 euros per company. They probably pay more each month to host the illegally collected data.
And they probably have the data for millions of EU citizens. Maybe a billion+ profiles worldwide. Granted, the numbers are pulled out of thin air, but what’s a reasonable estimate if not that?
What do you think happens if they are caught again? By then the precedent has been set. Easy decision. Fine them again. And obviously the previous fine didn't work so increase it. Courts have no patience for repeat offenders.
Also, it sends a signal to wannabe competitors to this company that there are laws and there are consequences for breaking those.
And of course given that these companies have money, there are going to be lawyers paying attention to see if they can get at that money in some way. Germany is almost as bad on that front as California. Lots of enterprising lawyers here. So, one successful court case can trigger many more once the precedent is set.
The fine is nothing, but their core selling point (selling ads without bothering to ask for consent) has been exposed and ruled illegal. The implication is also that data collected for years by those 600+ advertising agencies has been collected illegally, though I doubt deletion of that data will be enforced without a second suit.
crote|9 months ago
caseyy|9 months ago
But is 250k euros an appropriate fine for the personally identifiable information that’s been collected and associated with behavioural metrics, political preferences, confidential health data, and other private data points by the 600+ companies that make up IAB and their partners?
This is less than 500 euros per company. They probably pay more each month to host the illegally collected data.
And they probably have the data for millions of EU citizens. Maybe a billion+ profiles worldwide. Granted, the numbers are pulled out of thin air, but what’s a reasonable estimate if not that?
Unless I’m misunderstanding…
jillesvangurp|9 months ago
Also, it sends a signal to wannabe competitors to this company that there are laws and there are consequences for breaking those.
And of course given that these companies have money, there are going to be lawyers paying attention to see if they can get at that money in some way. Germany is almost as bad on that front as California. Lots of enterprising lawyers here. So, one successful court case can trigger many more once the precedent is set.
unknown|9 months ago
[deleted]
jeroenhd|9 months ago