Dutch DPA Says Google Breaches Privacy Laws

(RTTNews) - The Dutch data protection authority or DPA said Thursday that Google Inc. (GOOG) has been violating Dutch privacy law on personal data protection since its new privacy policy launch on March 1, 2012. The Dutch DPA has invited the internet search giant to attend a hearing to discuss its concerns, after which it would decide whether to take enforcement measures.

The investigation shows that Google combines internet users' personal data, for the purposes of displaying personalised ads and to personalise services like YouTube and Search. Some of these data are of a sensitive nature, such as payment information, location data and information on surfing behaviour across multiple websites. Jacob Kohnstamm, chairman of the Dutch data protection authority, said: "Google spins an invisible web of our personal data, without our consent. And that is forbidden by law."

The watchdog said in a statement that Google does not adequately inform users regarding the combining of their personal data from all these different services. The Dutch DPA also added that the consent, required by law, for the combining of personal data from different Google services cannot be obtained by accepting general (privacy) terms of service.