France threatens Google with Privacy Fines

[abelenkpe]

France threatens Google with Privacy Fines

http://news.yahoo.com/france-threatens-google-privacy-fines-082911582.html

PARIS (AP) — France is giving Google three months to be more upfront about the data it collects from users — or be fined. Other European countries aren't far behind.
Now it's up to Google to decide whether the relatively small fines are enough of an incentive to rethink its privacy rules — the Internet giant risks a €300,000 euro ($402,180) penalty in France.
Europe's a big market, but one where Google has no serious competition.
However, the company does have a reputation problem when it comes to protecting user privacy. Thursday's legal action puts new pressure on Google, which is smarting from criticism over providing customer data to the U.S. government as part of its fight against foreign terrorists.
The French agency that regulates information technology says that five other European countries are taking similar steps in a staggered offensive against Google's privacy policy between now and the end of July. It says Google largely ignored earlier recommendations from European regulators.
The French National Commission on Computing and Freedom, known as CNIL, says Spain joined France in the first wave of legal action Thursday, and that Britain, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands will join in the coming weeks.

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