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The 30 Most Fined Companies in America (2025): A Breakdown
In 2025, several American corporations face significant scrutiny from regulatory agencies, resulting in hefty fines. Here’s a detailed look at the most fined companies from 2020 through 2024, highlighting the industries and issues behind their penalties.
1. Amazon — Privacy and Consumer Protection Violations
Amazon has grappled with several regulatory challenges in recent years, primarily related to data privacy breaches and consumer protection issues. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued multi-million dollar fines after investigations revealed mishandling of user data and deceptive practices concerning product listings.
2. Facebook (Meta) — Data Privacy and Security Breaches
Despite ongoing efforts to improve, Meta has been penalized repeatedly for data privacy violations. Regulators cite issues like unauthorized data sharing and insufficient security measures, leading to cumulative fines exceeding $500 million since 2020.
3. Google (Alphabet) — Monopoly and Privacy Violations
Google’s dominance in online advertising and search has attracted regulatory attention. Fines are predominantly related to anti-trust violations and privacy concerns, with authorities accusing the company of stifling competition and mishandling user data.
4. Johnson & Johnson — Product Safety and Opioid Lawsuits
Johnson & Johnson faces fines stemming from product safety scandals, especially related to talcum powder risks and opioid lawsuits. Regulatory and legal actions have imposed fines reaching into the hundreds of millions.
5. Walmart — Labor and Fair Employment Violations
Walmart has been fined multiple times for violating labor laws, including wage violations, unsafe working conditions, and discriminatory employment practices, prompting increased scrutiny over its employment policies.
6. Tesla — Environmental and Workplace Safety Violations
Tesla’s innovative spirit has sometimes come with compliance issues. The company has been fined for environmental violations and workplace safety infractions at various factories.
7. CVS Health — Privacy and Operational Violations
As a major healthcare provider, CVS has been penalized for breaches of patient privacy and operational violations, including improper handling of sensitive medical data and medication errors.
8. ExxonMobil — Environmental Law Infractions
Environmental regulations are increasingly enforced with stringent penalties, and ExxonMobil has incurred fines for spills and violations of cleanup protocols, emphasizing the risks oil companies face.
9. Walgreens — HIPAA Violations
Pharmacy giant Walgreens has faced repeated fines for violations connected to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), including exposing patient information and security lapses.
10. Boeing — Safety Violations and Regulatory Non-Compliance
Boeing’s troubles with aircraft safety and non-compliance with federal standards have resulted in hefty fines, especially following recent safety investigations and design flaws.
11. Walmart — Recycling and Waste Violations
Beyond labor issues, Walmart was penalized for violations related to waste disposal and recycling mandates, reflecting the company’s environmental compliance challenges.
12. AT&T — Consumer Data and Privacy Infractions
As one of the largest telecommunications providers, AT&T has faced fines for mishandling customer data and violating federal cybersecurity regulations, prompting calls for stricter oversight.
13. Pfizer — Regulatory Compliance and Drug Safety
Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has been fined for drug safety concerns, marketing violations, and failure to report adverse reactions promptly, highlighting risks in the healthcare sector.
14. UnitedHealth Group — Healthcare Data Breaches
The healthcare provider has incurred significant fines for data breaches involving sensitive patient data and breaches of regulatory protocols related to health records.
15. Bank of America — Financial Regulation Violations
Bank of America faces fines related to mortgage fraud, improper lending practices, and violations of federal banking regulations that protect consumers.
16. McDonald’s — Employee Rights Violations
McDonald’s has come under fire for unfair labor practices, wage theft, and unsafe working conditions, leading to multiple penalties over the last few years.
17. Citibank — Anti-Money Laundering Violations
Regulators have fined Citibank for lapses in anti-money laundering protocols and failure to report suspicious activities, highlighting ongoing compliance issues.
18. Kellogg’s — Food Safety and Labeling Issues
Kellogg’s has faced fines related to food safety protocols and labeling inaccuracies, underscoring challenges in maintaining product integrity and consumer trust.
19. Apple — Consumer Privacy and Trade Violations
Despite its status, Apple has been fined for privacy breaches and non-compliance with international trade regulations concerning product manufacturing.
20. American Airlines — Consumer Service and Safety Infractions
Fined for safety violations and customer service issues, American Airlines has struggled with compliance in multiple areas since the pandemic recovery.
21. Target — Data Security Flaws
Target’s data breach issues have led to fines connected to inadequate cybersecurity measures, exposing millions of customers’ personal information.
22. Costco — Food Labeling and Safety Violations
The retail giant has been fined for violations involving food labeling inaccuracies and product safety standards.
23. PepsiCo — Environmental and Water Use Violations
PepsiCo faces penalties linked to excessive water consumption and environmental pollution, especially in vulnerable regions.
24. Honda — Vehicle Recall and Safety Violations
Honda has been fined for delayed recalls and failure to meet safety standards on specific vehicle models.
25. CVS Pharmacy — Unlawful Prescription Practices
Repeated fines reflect issues with unlawful prescription dispensations and regulatory lapses in pharmacy operations.
26. General Electric — Environmental Pollution Violations
GE faced penalties for environmental violations, particularly related to improper disposal of hazardous materials in manufacturing plants.
27. Uber — Transportation and Labor Laws
Uber has been fined for worker classification issues, safety violations, and non-compliance with local transportation laws.
28. Dow Chemical — Chemical Safety Violations
Recent fines involve violations related to chemical storage, hazardous waste handling, and environmental safety measures.
29. Starbucks — Labor and Food Safety Infractions
Starbucks has encountered penalties stemming from wage violations and lapses in food safety protocols across various locations.
30. Visa — Anti-Fraud and Compliance Breaches
Credit card companies like Visa are under scrutiny for violations in anti-fraud measures and failure to adhere to international compliance standards.
These fines reflect a broader push for increased accountability across industries, signaling a shift towards stricter enforcement of regulations in 2025. Companies are under pressure to enhance their compliance programs to avoid costly penalties and protect their brand reputation in an increasingly regulated marketplace.
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