Netflix is ​​fined millions for poorly informing customers

The Dutch Data Protection Authority has imposed a fine of 4.75 million euros on streaming service Netflix. For years, the company did not clearly indicate what it did with customers’ personal data. And customers who wanted to know this often received unclear information. Netflix has thus violated the European privacy law (GDPR), according to the regulator.

The case concerns the privacy data of Netflix customers in all EU countries, because the streaming service’s headquarters are in Amsterdam. The amount of the fine is based on the seriousness of the violation, the number of potential victims and the company’s turnover. Netflix has millions of customers in the EU and a turnover of billions.

In terms of seriousness of the violation, there have been worse cases this year, the regulator’s spokesperson said, referring to the fines that the privacy watchdog imposed on Uber and Clearview.

Netflix does not agree with the fine and has filed an objection with the Dutch Data Protection Authority. The streaming company has updated its privacy statement and improved the information provided to customers, the AP says. Netflix could not immediately be reached by Autovantra for additional comment.