Data Protection Commission owed more than €4 billion in fines
The Data Protection Commission (DPC) is owed more than €4 billion in fines that have not been collected or are subject to legal challenge. The DPC hit companies – including firms in Big Tech – with more than €530 million in fines last year.However, just €125,000 of that has been collected so far, according to data released under FOI laws.Over the past six years, the commission has levied an incredible €4.04 billion in fines, mostly on multinational technology companies. However, of that total, €4.02 billion remains uncollected and just €20 million has been paid in fines so far.In 2024, €652 million worth of fines was levied, of which €582,500 has been paid.READ MOREPenneys’ owners have bigger priorities than stock market spin-out Can I opt in to new workplace auto-enrolment pension even if I don’t meet the criteria?Trump’s Venezuela gamble puts Taco trade under scrutinyHistorical lessons aplenty for Bulgaria as it enters the euro zoneThe year before that, the DPC imposed fines worth €1.55 billion – yet just €815,000 was collected. During 2022, the commission decided on fines with a value of just over €1 billion, €17 million of which has been paid so far.Five years ago in 2021, companies were ordered to pay €225 million over data protection issues – €800,000 has been collected. Even for 2020, when just €785,000 in fines was imposed, less than 10 per cent of that, or €75,000, has been paid.[ Data Protection Commission sought €10m budget increase to beef up staff numbersOpens in new window ]The Data Protection Commission said the majority of these cases were currently the subject of appeals in the Irish courts. It said that under legislation, fines could not be collected until they were confirmed in court.An information note said: “Where an entity subject to a fine decides to appeal ... the DPC is precluded in law from collecting the fine until the appeal has been heard.” The commission said that many of the fines hinged on a key case involving WhatsApp, which is before the Court of Justice of the EU.Asked whether any of the fines were considered “uncollectable” for any reason, the DPC said none were.
