Dutch authorities have fined Netflix 4.75 million euros (about $4.98 million) for not properly informing its subscribers about how their personal data was being used.
The Dutch Data Protection Authority stated on Wednesday that between 2018 and 2020, Netflix failed to provide enough clear information to customers about what the company did with their personal data. The authorities said that the details Netflix did provide were unclear in some areas.
“Netflix did not explain properly how it handled personal data, especially when customers asked about it,” said Aleid Wolfsen, the chairman of the AP. “A company like Netflix, with billions in revenue and millions of customers worldwide, must be clear about how it handles personal data. That was not the case here.”
The AP also mentioned that Netflix was not clear on several points, including why it was collecting personal data, which data was being shared with others, how long the data was kept, and how it was kept secure when sent outside Europe.
Since the investigation, Netflix has updated its privacy statement and improved the information it provides to subscribers about their data use. However, the company has appealed the fine, according to the Dutch authorities.
