Google agreed to pay the largest fine ever levied by the Federal Trade Commission today for violating security settings that prevent advertisers from tracking users with cookies in Apple’s Safari browser.
The $22.5 million fine is the largest the FTC has ever issued, but the agreement is typical of white-collar crimes as Google agreed to only pay the fine if the company could deny “the substantive allegations in the Commission's civil penalty complaint.” So Google paid a fine for breaking the law, but they don’t have to admit to any wrongdoing. Makes sense.
At least one commissioner J. Thomas Rosch voted against the order arguing the settlement with Google allowed the company to deny the allegations made by the FTC. However, Rosch was outvoted 4-1 by his fellow commissioners.
"We strongly disagree with Commissioner Rosch’s view that if the Commission allows a defendant to deny the complaint’s substantive allegations, the settlement is not in the public interest...
Here, as in all cases, a defendant’s denial of liability in a settlement agreement has no bearing on the Commission’s determination as to whether it has reason to believe the defendant has violated the law or that a proposed settlement will afford appropriate relief for the Commission’s charges." — majority decision
Here, as in all cases, a defendant’s denial of liability in a settlement agreement has no bearing on the Commission’s determination as to whether it has reason to believe the defendant has violated the law or that a proposed settlement will afford appropriate relief for the Commission’s charges." — majority decision
Compared to the $500 million the federal government fined Google for allowing a Canadian pharmacy to illegally advertise drugs in the United States the FTC fine is a pittance. Don’t expect Google to change, and expect the FTC to utilize the option in the agreement that lets FTC levy more fines against Google if they don’t straighten up.
Source: AppleInsider
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