GDPR Enforcement in 2025: Record Fines and What They Tell Us
A look at the major GDPR enforcement actions of the past year and the lessons they offer for businesses and privacy advocates.
The General Data Protection Regulation is now seven years old, and enforcement has never been more robust. 2025 has seen some of the largest fines in GDPR history, signaling that regulators are increasingly willing to use their full powers.
The Numbers Tell a Story
By mid-2025, GDPR fines have already exceeded €3 billion for the year, surpassing the total for all of 2024. Here are some notable cases:
Meta’s Ongoing Struggles
Meta continues to face significant penalties:
- €1.2 billion for data transfers to the US (upheld on appeal)
- €390 million for behavioral advertising practices
- Multiple ongoing investigations into Instagram and WhatsApp
TikTok Under Scrutiny
The Irish Data Protection Commission issued a €345 million fine to TikTok for failing to protect children’s privacy. Key violations included:
- Default public settings for child accounts
- Failure to verify user ages
- Lack of sufficient parental controls
The Clearview AI Precedent
Several EU countries have fined Clearview AI for its facial recognition database, with cumulative fines now exceeding €80 million. The company has been ordered to delete all EU citizen data.
Emerging Enforcement Trends
1. Cross-Border Cooperation Improves
The “one-stop-shop” mechanism, long criticized for delays, is finally showing results. Average case resolution time has dropped from 3+ years to under 18 months.
2. SME Enforcement Begins
Regulators are moving beyond big tech. Small and medium businesses are now receiving fines for:
- Inadequate consent mechanisms
- Poor data breach responses
- Excessive data retention
3. AI and Automated Decision-Making
A new frontier is opening up: enforcement around AI systems that process personal data. Key focus areas include:
- Lack of transparency in algorithmic decisions
- Failure to conduct required impact assessments
- Inadequate human oversight
What This Means for Organizations
For Businesses
The message is clear: GDPR compliance is not optional. Organizations should:
- Audit your data practices - Know what data you collect and why
- Review consent mechanisms - Are they genuinely informed and freely given?
- Prepare for breaches - Have response plans in place
- Document everything - Accountability requires evidence
For Individuals
Your rights are being enforced. If you believe your data rights have been violated:
- Contact the organization directly first
- Lodge a complaint with your national DPA if unsatisfied
- Consider joining collective actions for systematic violations
The Road Ahead
Enforcement is expected to intensify further with:
- The DSA adding new enforcement powers
- The AI Act requiring GDPR-style compliance for certain AI systems
- Increased budgets for data protection authorities
The era of treating privacy fines as a “cost of doing business” is ending. For digital citizens, this means your data rights are increasingly meaningful.
Follow us for regular updates on GDPR enforcement and your data rights.