Yahoo EMEA Limited
Cookie Consent Violations
France
2024
€10 Million Fine
Cookie Compliance
Background
Yahoo EMEA was fined €10 million by the French data protection authority (CNIL) for cookie consent violations on their website and mail service. The CNIL found issues with unauthorized cookie placement, coercive consent practices, and the inability for users to freely withdraw consent without losing service access.
This case highlights the critical need for compliant cookie consent mechanisms to avoid substantial fines and reputational damage in the European market.
Privacy Issues Identified
- Unauthorized cookie placement prior to user consent on Yahoo.com
- Coercive consent practices making Yahoo! Mail access contingent on cookie acceptance
- Inability for users to withdraw consent freely without service denial
- Failure to provide meaningful alternatives to users declining cookies
How Data>Nuance Could Have Prevented This
Our Solution
- Comprehensive cookie consent audits to identify compliance issues before regulatory action
- Tailored cookie management solutions separating essential cookies from advertising trackers
- Ethical consent workflows maintaining service functionality regardless of privacy choices
- Regular compliance monitoring adapting to evolving regulatory interpretations