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Amazon hit with EU data privacy fine

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Amazon has copped a huge fine from the EU for processing personal data in violation of regulations.
Camera IconAmazon has copped a huge fine from the EU for processing personal data in violation of regulations. Credit: AP

Amazon.com Inc has been hit with a 746 million euro ($A1.2 billion) European Union fine for processing personal data in violation of the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the e-commerce giant says.

The Luxembourg National Commission for Data Protection (CNPD) imposed the fine on Amazon Europe Core in a July 16 decision, the company disclosed in a regulatory filing.

"We believe the CNPD's decision to be without merit and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in this matter," Amazon said in the filing.

GDPR requires companies to seek people's consent before using their personal data or face steep fines.

The Wall Street Journal had reported in June that the company could be fined more than $US425 million under the European Union's privacy law, citing people familiar with the matter.

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