Sweden orders four companies to stop using Google tool

14 Sept 23:59 Key points summarised by AI

Sweden's privacy protection agency (IMY) mandated four companies to discontinue using Google Analytics, citing its transfer of personal data to the United States as a violation of EU data protection regulations.
The directive follows a complaint by the Austrian data privacy group noyb, which argued that Google Analytics' use breaches the GDPR due to the US's insufficient data protection level compared to the EU.
Telecommunications firm Tele2 and online marketplace CDON were fined 12 million and 300,000 kronor respectively, while grocery chain Coop and Dagens Industri newspaper avoided penalties by implementing stronger data protection measures.
This ruling is significant as it marks the first financial penalty imposed on companies in Europe for using Google Analytics, aligning with similar findings from other EU authorities.

Macron condemns those who 'sought to bring down the Republic' after rioting mars nationwide protests

Today 12:56 Key points summarised by AI

President Macron condemned widespread rioting and looting during nationwide protests, blaming far-left activists and criminals for the "unrestrained violence" and vowing accountability for those who "sought to bring down the Republic."
Over 2,400 arrests were made as protests against rising living costs and poor school conditions escalated, causing extensive damage to public buildings and businesses in cities like Paris, Limoges (where City Hall burned), Marseille, and Lyon.
The unrest, which organizers hoped would revive the "yellow vest" movement, saw political leaders trade blame, with Macron instructing prefects to protect public buildings and potentially ban future protests to prevent further disorder.