Google's Data Storing Efforts Incur Wrath of EU: Report

By Spencer D. Chin

TMCnet Web Editor

 

It’s become no secret that Google (News - Alert) Inc. is trying to collect more information on its users to predict Internet search behavior. But that quest to know more about its users is landing the Internet search engine giant in hot water with the European Union.

 

According to an Associated Press report, the European Union has issued a letter requesting that Google address concerns about its practice of storing and retaining user information for up to two years.

 

"This group has addressed a letter to Google raising a number of questions," EU spokesman Pietro Petrucci was quoted as saying, adding that EU Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini was backing the investigation.

Google recently announced it was mounting an effort to build a huge database that would keep track of the personal online behavior of its users. That effort has come under fire from many industry experts concerned about user privacy concerns, because user information will be constantly attached to the various Google services like Gmail, iGoogle, and others.

 

But the AP report quoted Peter Fleischer, Google's global privacy counsel, as stating the company was committed to protecting the personal data gathered from users on its search engine.

"We believe it's an important part of our commitment to respect user privacy while balancing a number of important factors, such as maintaining security and preventing fraud and abuse," Fleischer was quoted as saying.

 

Google has come under scrutiny in the U.S. as well, with a consumer group reportedly asking the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the Internet giant’s privacy policies as the company was acquiring online advertising company DoubleClick Inc.

Spencer Chin is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To see more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.