Belgium: Belgian Data Protection Authority's Litigation Chamber dismissed case regarding Mastercard Europe SA alleged unlawful consent collection for cookie placement (cases DOS-2021-06455 and DOS-2021-06473) (Decision 107/2025)

On 26 June 2025, the Belgian Data Protection Authority's Litigation Chamber issued Decision 107/2025, ordering the dismissal without follow-up of two complaints (cases DOS-2021-06455 and DOS-2021-06473) concerning cookie banners at Mastercard Europe SA due to an abuse of rights by NOYB – European Centre for Digital Rights. The Chamber found that NOYB had acted primarily with the aim of generating publicity and pressuring companies rather than seeking genuine enforcement of data protection rights. Consequently, the complaints were dismissed on procedural grounds, reaffirming the importance of responsible and good faith complaint filing under the GDPR framework. The decision clarifies the limits on strategic litigation in the area of cookie consent enforcement in Belgium.