UK, Germany and Italy privacy authorities have warned Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) to make alterations in its privacy policy or it should face legal sanctions, says a report from Guardian. Google made changes in some of its privacy policy in order to assist data collection 15 months back.
Last month, France and Spain have also accused Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) of misusing the massive amounts of personal data that it collects from users on a daily business. France and Spain also asked the internet giant to rewrite its privacy policy else face heavy fines.
Accusations against Google
There have been restrictions imposed on Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) in Europe over its collection of Wi-Fi data such as usernames, passwords and web pages. It is also restricted to collect photos through street viewing systems. European privacy watchdogs, as well as US legislators, have asked Google to give an answer on how it will protect the privacy in its Google Glass head mounted system, which can click pictures and video without the knowledge of the person of whom the picture or video is being taken.
Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) is also accused of sharing data with the NSA’s Prism program through which the NSA took the information from various US companies including Google, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL).
According to Information Commissioner’s Office in the UK, the new privacy policy is not complying with the UK Data Protection Act and has asked Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) to clarify the same by September 20.
Google’s policy criticized
Professor Johannes Caspar, head of the powerful equivalent in Hamburg said that he will file suit against Google because the new policy “violates the company’s commitment to full transparency about the use and handling of the data”.
Nick Pickles, director of privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch, described the action of Google being against the general public, and added that people are unaware of the method of collection and usage of data by Google.
The UK privacy watchdog ICO said that it is unclear how Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) will use their data across all products of the company.
Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) said in a statement: “Our privacy policy respects European law and allows us to create simpler, more effective services. We have engaged fully with the authorities involved throughout this process, and we’ll continue to do so going forward.”
However, the spokesperson did not make it clear that Google at the same time complies with the European Law and still face the allegation from five European privacy watchdogs.
