Anthropogenic perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread and persistent pollutants that are increasingly subject to stringent regulatory thresholds in water resources. Current nonthermal defluorination strategies have limitations including incomplete mineralization, leaving behind short-chain PFAS byproducts and residual fluoride ions, thereby posing challenges to meeting water quality standards.
The European Commission has fined Google €2.95 billion ($3.5 billion) for abusing its dominance in the digital advertising technology market and favoring its adtech services over those of its competitors.
Google was also ordered by the EU’s top antitrust regulator to stop anti-competitive and “self-preferencing” practices and take measures to mitigate future conflicts of interest in the adtech market.
Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google’s Global Head of Regulatory Affairs, told BleepingComputer that the antitrust regulator’s decision was wrong and that the company will appeal it.
The French data protection authority has fined Google €325 million ($378 million) for violating cookie regulations and displaying ads between Gmail users’ emails without their consent.
During several investigations between 2022 and 2023, the National Commission on Informatics and Liberty (CNIL) found that Google’s Gmail email service displayed advertisements in the “Promotions” and “Social” tabs without the consent of Gmail users, thereby breaching Article L. 34–5 of the French Postal and Electronic Communications Code (CPCE).
As explained in a press release issued on Wednesday, this fine was imposed because Google breached the French Data Protection Act (Article 82) by failing to inform users who created new accounts that they were required to allow the search giant to place cookies for advertising purposes to access its services.
