Fine for Monsanto for violating privacy

Chemical company Monsanto has been fined €400.000 by the French privacy watchdog CNIL. The company has been keeping illegal files on journalists, activists and other public figures in an effort to influence public opinion on things like Roundup, according to the CNIL.

The ruling reveals that Monsanto — owned by Bayer since 2018 — collected data from more than 200 people in France, which the company says influences public opinion about the company's products, such as Roundup and genetically modified crops (GMO).

List is allowed, but can inform involved persons
Compiling such a list is not illegal, according to the French privacy watchdog. The company made the mistake of collecting the data secretly without informing the individuals involved or giving them the option to be delisted. Collecting contact information should be allowed, but only from people who can reasonably expect to be included in the contact list, for example through their relationship with the company or public reputation.

The daily Le Monde and television channel France 2 revealed in 2019 that Monsanto maintained a watchlist of more than 1.300 politicians, journalists and activists, mostly from EU member states.

More legal issues
This case is the latest in a long line of legal issues surrounding Monsanto. In May of this year, the US court rejected another $1,25 billion settlement proposal from Bayer for future lawsuits over cancer caused by exposure to glyphosate. The deal would benefit Bayer more than people who have become ill from the drug.

Also in May, the French judge dismissed another case brought by a French-Vietnamese victim over Agent Orange. This defoliant used during the Vietnam War was produced by Monsato at the time.

Jurphaas Lugtenburg

He is a market specialist in grains and other agricultural commodities at DCA Market Intelligence. He also focuses on onions, potatoes, and roughage. Jurphaas also runs an arable farm in Voorne-Putten (South Holland).

j.lugtenburg @boerenbusiness. Nl

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