France, Sept. 4 -- Frenchonline privacy watchdogs fined Google and Shein nearly €500 million on Thursday for failing to properly inform internet users about advertising cookies - the tools that track online activity for targeted advertising.

The American company Google and its Irish subsiduary were fined €325 million. Shein, through its Irish arm Infinite Styles Services Co Limited, was fined €150 million.

The National Commission for Information Technology and Civil Liberties (CNIL) said both companies flouted their duty to get the free and informed consent of internet users before placing advertising cookies.

Google was fined for the third time in five years. CNIL inspectors criticised the company and its Irish unit ...