Google Privacy Policy in Hot Water in Europe

Google Privacy Policy in Hot Water in Europe

Better watch out Google! The UK, Germany and other European countries are hot on your trail, requesting you to rewrite your privacy policy in Europe or face legal action!

Google Privacy Policy in Hot Water in EuropeHaving already been censored in Europe because of its collection of Wi-Fi data (usernames, passwords and web page viewing, while collecting photos for its Street View system), Google is being targeted and emotions are flaring about the vast amount of personal data it collects on a daily basis from users.

The UK Google

The UK is questioning Google’s compliance with their Data Protection Act (DPA), which sets rules for processing personal information and requires personal data to be:

  • Fairly and lawfully processed;
  • Processed for limited purposes;
  • Adequate, relevant and not excessive;
  • Accurate;
  • Not kept for longer than is necessary;
  • Processed in line with an individual’s rights;
  • Secure; and
  • Not transferred to other countries without adequate protection.

According to the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office, Google’s privacy policy, introduced in March 2012, raises “serious questions,” and Google has until September 20, 2013 to recast it before the UK seeks legal recourse.

German Google

About 930 miles away, in Hamburg, Germany, Johannes Caspar, head of the Data Protection Agency (DPA) in Hamburg, Germany, and an outspoken critic of Google, has had nothing but issues with the search engine.

In 2010, Google wanted its Street View mapping service of 20 German cities to go live by November of that year; however, because Germany has some tough privacy laws, probably due to Germans suffering under Nazi and East German rule historically, Google extended the deadline to October 15th of 2010 to allow people to opt-out of Street View. By opting out, the homes of German citizens would be removed before Google launched this service.

Caspar, however, said that his “concerns about implementing these complex opt-out proceedings were unfortunately not respected.”

This prompted the Berlin government to meet with Google representatives to agree on finding a way of respecting privacy.

Caspar is currently responding to Google’s privacy policy, because it “violates the company’s commitment to full transparency about the use and handling of the data.”

Like the UK, Germany is ready to take legal action against Google. In fact, Italy, France and Spain have also joined this battle, threatening Google with fines if they don’t comply.

Ultimately, it seems it’s about examining countries’ privacy policies as well as what Google actually does with the data it collects.

Sources:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/jul/05/google-privacy-policy-legal-action 

http://www.parliament.uk/site-information/foi/data-protection/ 

http://www.searchclinic.org/2010/09/feed 

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • Empowering and Securing a Mobile Workforce

    What happens when technology lets you work anywhere – but exposes you to security threats everywhere? This is the reality of modern work. No longer tethered to desks, work happens everywhere – in the office, from home, on the road, and in countless locations in between. Read Now

  • TSA Introduces New $45 Fee Option for Travelers Without REAL ID Starting February 1

    The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID and still want to fly an option to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, to establish identity at security checkpoints beginning on February 1, 2026. Read Now

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

New Products

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.