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    AEPD Fines SEAT for Cookie Violations: A Lesson in GDPR Compliance

    by Alex Margau
    3 min read
    seat logo on a grey background

    The Spanish Data Protection Authority (AEPD) recently fined SEAT, S.A. €20,000 for improperly placing cookies on its website without obtaining proper user consent, violating the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The investigation revealed that SEAT's cookie banner did not provide an adequate option for users to reject non-essential cookies, leading to non-compliance with GDPR requirements for consent and transparency.

    In addition to GDPR, SEAT also breached Spanish Law 34/2002 on Information Society Services and Electronic Commerce (LSSI) by using functionality and advertising cookies without prior consent. SEAT also failed to provide an effective mechanism for users to withdraw consent, resulting in continued cookie use even after consent was revoked.

    SEAT managed to reduce the fine to €12,000 by cooperating with authorities and paying voluntarily. However, in such cases, non-compliance costs go beyond fines, affecting brand reputation and customer trust. 

     

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    This case serves as a reminder of the growing importance of proper cookie management in light of privacy laws like GDPR. Businesses that fail to establish clear and comprehensive consent mechanisms risk facing significant penalties. 

    A compliance tool like Clym could have helped SEAT and other companies avoid similar situations. Clym provides an all-in-one solution for businesses that have to meet various regulatory requirements and the ONLY solution on the market to combine website accessibility, data privacy, age gating, geo-restriction & VPN access control, and more.

    With our ReadyCompliance™ mechanism, Clym regularly scans websites for new cookies, categorizes them appropriately, so that no data is collected if users revoke consent. Additionally, Clym generates consent receipts for accepted cookie categories, enabling businesses to remain audit-ready. 

     

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    By leveraging Clym, businesses can implement clear and comprehensive compliance mechanisms, minimize risks, and significantly reduce the likelihood of hefty fines while maintaining user trust.

    Alex Margau

    Alex is a Content Developer at Clym, where he researches and writes about everything related to data privacy and web accessibility compliance for businesses, helping them stay informed on their compliance needs and spreading awareness about making the web safer and more inclusive. When he’s not writing about compliance, Alex has his nose in a book or is hiking in the great outdoors.

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