In a recent development, tech giant Google has faced a €2mn fine in France due to its non-compliance with regulations pertaining to its search engine and Google Play Store. The French Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) determined that Google had failed to adhere to rules regarding the provision of certain information related to ranking criteria.
One of the issues identified by the watchdog was the absence of explanations for the prices displayed in searches for tourism accommodation. Additionally, the DGCCRF found that Google Play Store did not provide consumers with reasons for the non-publication of their app reviews.
Following inspections conducted in 2021, the DGCCRF's national investigation department discovered that Google's search engine "did not furnish information on the criteria used to rank results." This lack of transparency in ranking criteria raised concerns about potential bias and the ability of users to make informed decisions.
Google's anti-fraud department acknowledged that they had rectified some of the identified shortcomings. The company expressed regret that the changes made had not been taken into account by the French regulatory agency.
This is not the first time Google has faced scrutiny and fines from European authorities. In 2019, the tech giant was ordered to pay €150mn by the French data protection regulator, CNIL, for violations of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Similarly, in 2017, Google faced a record €2.42bn fine from the European Union for abusing its dominant position in the search engine market.
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