The GDPR gives data protection authorities (DPAs) the power to impose an administrative fine of up to 4% of a company’s annual turnover or € 20 million if they violate the GDPR, depending on which sum is higher.
The purpose of these fines is to deter similar infringements in the future. Although a noyb study found that they are among the most effective enforcement tools available to authorities, significant fines for GDPR violations are extremely rare. The fines go to the country where the proceedings take place, which almost always the country where the fined company has its headquarters.
Since 2018, the following fines have been imposed on the basis of noyb complaints:
… had overturned its first draft decision in December 2022. Google fined € 50 million over forced consent When the GDPR … into force on 25 July 2018, noyb filed complaints against Google, Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook for forcing its … for more than four years. First major fine for using Google Analytics Following noyb’s 101 complaints on unlawful EU-US …