AP reports:
France’s data privacy regulator has rejected Google’s appeal of an order to remove search results worldwide upon request.
In a statement Monday, the agency known as CNIL denied that it was trying to apply French law globally, but rather to request that any companies that offer services in Europe conform to legislation.
Read more on ABC.
And if Google refuses to comply? Then what? A fine that will be peanuts compared to their global revenue or are there potentially more serious consequences? The Guardian explains:
Google has no further right to appeal the order at this stage under French law.
CNIL will likely begin to apply sanctions including the possibility of a fine in the region of €300,000 against Google, should the company refuse to comply with the order. Under incoming French regulation the fine could increase to between 2% and 5% of global operating costs.
Google can then appeal the decision and the fine with the supreme court for administrative justice the Conseil d’Etat.