Asian Tech Press (Jan 06) -- French data regulator CNIL will fine Google and Facebook 150 million euros ($170 million) and 60 million euros ($68 million), respectively, for violating EU privacy rules.

According to a CNIL filing, the agency will impose fines of 90 million euros and 60 million euros on Google's U.S. and Irish operations, respectively, and 60 million euros on Facebook's Irish unit for not allowing French users to easily reject cookie tracking technology.

In addition, Google and Facebook face a daily fine of 100,000 euros if they do not correct their behavior within three months of the CNIL issuing this decision. The decision applies to Google's French sites google.fr and youtube.fr, as well as Facebook's French platforms.

"We are evaluating the (French) authorities' decision and remain committed to cooperating with the relevant authorities," A Facebook spokesperson said. "Our Cookie Consent Control features provide people with greater control over their data, including a new settings menu on Facebook and Instagram where people can revisit and manage their decisions at any time, and we continue to develop and improve these controls."

Google has not yet responded to a related request for comment, while the CNIL said that it would not comment on the matter until the said decision is published on its official website.