In France, Googles normally almost text-free homepage now bears a block of text telling visitors that its been fined for violating national privacy laws. Googles 2012 privacy policy change led to harsh criticism by several European privacy watchdogs, and Frances Commission Nationale de lInformatique et des Libertés (CNIL) determined last year that the company had failed to address privacy and data protection questions. In January, it levied a €150,000 (around $204,000) fine — the maximum allowed by law — and ordered Google to post a notice of the decision for 48 hours. The notification gives the amount and reason for the fine and a link to CNILs decision, which Google is currently in the process of appealing.
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