The Data Protection Commission hit companies with more than €530 million in fines last year. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish TimesThe Data Protection Commission (DPC) is owed more than €4 billion in fines that have not been collected or are subject to legal challenge. Over the past six years, the commission has levied an incredible €4.04 billion in fines, mostly on multinational technology companies. Five years ago in 2021, companies were ordered to pay €225 million over data protection issues – €800,000 has been collected. [ Data Protection Commission sought €10m budget increase to beef up staff numbersOpens in new window ]The Data Protection Commission said the majority of these cases were currently the subject of appeals in the Irish courts.

Source: The Irish Times January 12, 2026 12:53 UTC