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Lately, tech companies are getting a lot of sticks from regulators globally due to data violations. Tech companies in China like Alibaba, Didi has been sanctioned due to how they handle customers data.
Recently, Chinese regulators ordered app stores to stop offering Didi’s app. Regulators cited Didi’s illegal collection of users’ data as the reason for its decision. In a similar vein, MasterCard was suspended from issuing cards – debit and credit to customers in India owing to a violation of data storage laws.
In December, France’s data privacy watchdog handed out its biggest ever fine of 100 million euros ($118.82 million) to Google for breaching the nation’s rules on online advertising trackers.
Amazon is the latest tech company to join the list of tech companies being sanctioned for data violations. The e-commerce giant has been hit with a record $886.6 million (746 million euros) European Union fine for processing personal data in breach of the bloc’s GDPR rules, as privacy regulators take a more aggressive position on enforcement.
The Luxembourg National Commission for Data Protection (CNPD) imposed the fine on Amazon in a July 16 decision, the company disclosed in a regulatory filing on Friday. Amazon will appeal the fine, according to a company spokesperson. The e-commerce giant said in the filing it believed CNPD’s decision was without merit.
CNPD did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
EU’s General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, requires companies to seek people’s consent before using their personal data or face steep fines.
Globally, regulatory scrutiny of tech giants has been increasing following a string of scandals over privacy and misinformation, as well as complaints from some businesses that they abuse their market power. Alphabet’s Google, Facebook Inc, Apple Inc, and Microsoft Corp have drawn heightened scrutiny in Europe.
The wall street journal first reported news of a potential fine for Amazon in June.
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