Google Forced to Change Its Privacy Policy in the Netherlands

According to Telecompaper, Google has changed its privacy policy in the Netherlands to comply with its data protection laws.  The Dutch privacy regulator (the "CBP") determined last year that Google combines and uses the personal data of internet users without first obtaining permission according to its laws.  Google acquires personal information about its users when they are logged into Google and from other data sources, such as Internet searches, location data, videos, and emails.

While this is a welcome development, why did the CBP have to threaten Google with a multi-million dollar fine before it agreed to change its privacy policy?  Will Google soon change its U.S. privacy policy to actually protect the personal privacy of its users?  Since Google led the charge to gut Maryland's student privacy law earlier this year, I doubt it will do so.

The bottom line is that the U.S. FTC and state attorney generals should follow the E.U.'s lead when it comes to protecting our digital privacy.  The more data that companies such as Google, Facebook, data brokers, etc... are allowed to collect and utilize the less safe we become since privacy and security are bedrocks of a democratic society.

Troubling practices and antiquated thoughts about data privacy continue to be a national security threat.  My hope is that our regulators and elected leaders will soon take the appropriate actions necessary to enforce and update our data privacy laws to better protect us and our children.

Copyright 2015 by The Law Office of Bradley S. Shear, LLC All rights reserved.

Netherlands May Fine Google Millions of Euros For Privacy Law Violations

According to The Wall Street Journal, Google may soon be fined the equivalent of $19 million dollars by the Netherlands Data Protection Authority for violating privacy laws. The Dutch privacy regulator announced earlier today that Google collects and combines personal data for advertising purposes without obtaining user consent.  The threat of a fine follows a 900,000 euro-penalty from Spain’sdata privacy regulator last year and another 150,000 euro penalty Google received earlier this year.

In 2012, Google consolidated most of its privacy policies into one comprehensive policy that enables it to combine almost all information it gains about its users.  This troubling change demonstrated that Google doesn't care about its users privacy.  Google's platforms are not built with privacy by design in place.  It is an advertising company disguised as a search engine and communications provider.  This business model has created the most successful advertising entity in the history of the world. 

During the past several years, Google has been fined tens of millions of dollars by the FTC, state attorney generals, and European regulators for violating privacy laws.  Regulator fines are designed to stop and deter illegal behavior.  Google makes so much money from the data it mines on its users that it may be cheaper for it to continue to pay fines for bad behavior instead of changing its business practices.  Until regulators around the world are provided the tools that have the teeth required to deter Google and other companies from harming our privacy this troubling behavior will continue.

Will 2015 be the year that legislators and regulators really clamp down on digital data collection and usage?  Time will only tell.  

Copyright 2014 by Shear Law, LLC.  All rights reserved.