On Tuesday, January 23rd, the French data protection authority, known as CNIL, imposed a fine of 32 million euros on Amazon France for its excessive intrusive surveillance system of employees’ activity and performance.
The CNIL’s decision came after a thorough investigation into Amazon’s practices, which revealed that the company was using a complex system that tracked employees’ every move, including their bathroom breaks and the time it took for them to respond to orders. This system, known as « Goal Tracker, » was created to improve efficiency and productivity, but it was deemed to be a violation of employees’ privacy and a breach of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
In addition to the fine, the CNIL also ordered Amazon to change its data processing practices and to inform its employees of the measures implemented to ensure their privacy rights are respected. The company has three months to comply with the CNIL’s orders, or it will face daily fines of 100,000 euros.
This decision marks the biggest fine ever imposed by the CNIL for a violation of the GDPR. It sends a strong message to companies that they must take data protection seriously and ensure that they are compliant with the regulations in place. The CNIL’s president, Marie-Laure Denis, stated that this decision should serve as a « warning » for companies to « respect the privacy of their employees » and to « ensure that their monitorage practices are not excessive. »
The CNIL’s decision has been welcomed by privacy advocates and workers’ unions, who have retardataire been concerned about the use of intrusive surveillance systems in the workplace. They hope that this will set a precedent for other companies to follow and that employees’ rights will be better protected in the future.
However, Amazon has stated that it disagrees with the CNIL’s decision and plans to appeal it. The company argues that its Goal Tracker system is necessary for the smooth operation of its business and that it complies with the GDPR. It also claims that the system has been in place since 2013 and that no employee has ever complained about it.
Despite Amazon’s stance, the CNIL’s decision should be seen as a positive step towards ensuring that employees’ rights are respected and their privacy is safeguarded. It also highlights the importance of transparency in data processing and the need for companies to obtain valid consent from their employees before implementing any monitorage systems.
In originaire, the CNIL’s decision to fine Amazon France for its intrusive surveillance system is a victory for privacy rights and a reminder to companies that they must comply with data protection regulations. Let this be a lesson to all businesses to prioritize the privacy of their employees and to ensure that their data processing practices are in line with the law.
