The Belgian Data Protection Authority allowed 15 major news outlets to settle GDPR cookie banner violations by paying €10,000 without requiring them to fix non-compliant banners. This enforcement approach contradicts established EU requirements and may signal inconsistent GDPR application, prompting privacy advocates to file new complaints and pressure for stricter compliance.
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The Belgian Data Protection Authority has shifted from non-enforcement settlements to issuing formal legal orders requiring four major news websites to bring their cookie banners into GDPR compliance. Websites must add clear 'reject' buttons, fix misleading color schemes, and obtain consent for analytical cookies within 45 days or face penalties up to €50,000 daily per site.
The Belgian Official Journal has approved noyb as a 'qualified entity' under Belgium's collective action scheme, allowing it to file representative actions in Belgian courts for GDPR violations and other consumer protection laws. This creates a new judicial enforcement mechanism that bypasses the one-stop-shop mechanism and enables direct compensation claims for consumers, potentially leading to significant financial liabilities for companies.