EU warns Google over privacy policy
The European Union has demanded that internet search giant Google revise its privacy policy, saying that that the company should be clearer about what data it is collecting and for what purpose.
Back in March Google rolled their 60 privacy policies into one agreement, meaning that data used by someone across their products, from Android, to YouTube to Google + could be collated by the company and potentially used to target adverts.
Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, President of French data privacy regulator CNIL, expressed her concerns.
"Google, as any company, wants to have more space to develop new services so the new policy is very general and rather global in order to allow Google more freedom, and this is not to be criticised. But on the other hand, as Google is a key player in the online world, it has responsibilities. So it needs to give guarantees to its customers. And these customers are sometimes a bit afraid of what is done with their data. And especially the consumer wants to master the use of their data."
Falque-Pierrotin explained that Google would be given some time to make the changes, but if the company didn't comply, the decision would have to go through court.
"Until now, Google has been open to our questions but has answered in a rather general manner. And now we want to have them more precise, to take real actions in order to be in compliance. So if after three or four months they don't do anything, we will consider other ways for this compliance. And other, probably legal, ways."
Google has pointed out that its policy has not been deemed illegal and that the company will need more time to provide a detailed response.
Written and presented by Alfred Joyner