€746M

Amazon fined €746M for violating privacy rules

Tech giant plans to appeal, says spokesperson.

BY LAURA KAYALI AND VINCENT MANANCOURT

Luxembourg's data protection authority (CNPD) fined Amazon €746 million for not complying with EU's privacy rules, according to the company's latest filings. 

According to the filing, the decision was taken on July 16, and the regulator ruled that "Amazon’s processing of personal data did not comply with the EU General Data Protection Regulation."

"We believe the CNPD’s decision to be without merit and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in this matter," the company said in the filing. 

Asked about the ruling, an Amazon spokesperson said: "We strongly disagree with the CNPD’s ruling, and we intend to appeal. The decision relating to how we show customers relevant advertising relies on subjective and untested interpretations of European privacy law, and the proposed fine is entirely out of proportion with even that interpretation.”

The data protection authority is also asking for "practice revisions," which are not detailed in the document.  

The fine is higher than previously reported.