Dutch authorities have imposed a €4.75 million ($4.98 million) fine on Netflix for failing to adequately inform subscribers about how their personal data was handled between 2018 and 2020.
The Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) stated that Netflix did not provide clear or sufficient information about its data processing practices.
Between 2018 and 2020, Netflix did not provide customers with enough information about what the company does with their personal data. And the information that Netflix did provide was unclear in some areas,” the AP said in a statement.
The AP identified several issues, including a lack of clarity about why Netflix collected personal data, which data was shared with third parties, how long the data was retained, and how data security was ensured when transmitted outside Europe.
“A company like that, with a turnover of billions and millions of customers worldwide, has to explain properly to its customers how it handles their personal data,” AP chairman Aleid Wolfsen emphasized.
“That must be crystal clear. Especially if the customer asks about this. And that was not in order.”
Netflix has since updated its privacy statement and improved its communication about data handling practices. However, the company has appealed the fine, according to the AP.
