Dutch consumer groups sue Google over its entire business model
- Reference: 1694593811
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2023/09/13/google_dutch_consumer_groups/
- Source link:
The action was first announced in May, and since then 82,000 Dutch citizens have signed up as part of the claim.
The group, which said it [1]launched court action today, alleges that Google has trampled over Dutch and European privacy laws by collecting data without also collecting permission. That data – including confidential information such as health, ethnicity, and political preference – is then shared with third parties keen to sign up for the Google ad platform.
[2]
Ada van der Veer, chairman of the Foundation for the Protection of Privacy Interests, said: "Google is constantly monitoring everyone. Even when using third-party cookies – which are invisible – Google continues to collect data through other people's websites and apps, even when someone is not using its products or services.
[3]
[4]
"This enables Google to monitor almost the entire internet behavior of its users. In addition, Google continuously collects the physical locations of users, even when they are not actively using their devices and think they are 'offline'."
Those are some hefty allegations. Google has [5]been making progress in settling tracking lawsuits but does have form when it comes to [6]tracking users who specifically told it not to .
[7]Google's Chrome gets caught with its WebP down, offers hasty patch-up
[8]Google thinks $20M ought to be enough to figure out how or if AI can be used responsibly
[9]Google warns infoseccers: Beware of North Korean spies sliding into your DMs
[10]Google Chrome Privacy Sandbox open to all: Now websites can tap into your habits directly for ads
The Register put the case to Google, which declined to comment.
The lawsuit is demanding some impressive compensation. As well as calling a halt to the alleged privacy violations, €750 in damages is required for every consumer that has used its services. On top of that, the suit also requests that the judge determine damages based on the determined value of the data collected and shared by Google.
[11]
Van der Veer also noted that data could be transferred to countries outside of Europe, thus [12]exposing citizens to the risk of surveillance by foreign powers. Other EU countries similarly worry about Google's alleged habit of breaching GDPR.
Google is in good company when it comes to irritating the Dutch. Last year, Microsoft [13]received a rap over the knuckles via a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) into the company's productivity products.
Van der Veer said: "The Foundation has spoken to Google about all these matters, without results. It is now up to the courts to put a stop to Google's practices." ®
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[1] https://www.consumentenbond.nl/nieuws/2023/google-voor-de-rechter-gedaagd
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/legal&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2ZQGIQlIkuHbgIaGndRMR0wAAAMQ&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/legal&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZQGIQlIkuHbgIaGndRMR0wAAAMQ&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/legal&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33ZQGIQlIkuHbgIaGndRMR0wAAAMQ&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://www.theregister.com/2023/01/03/google_tracking_settlements
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2018/08/13/google_location_tracking/
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2023/09/12/chrome_browser_webp_exploit/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2023/09/11/google_think_tanks/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2023/09/11/infosec_roundup/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2023/09/07/google_privacy_sandbox/
[11] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/legal&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZQGIQlIkuHbgIaGndRMR0wAAAMQ&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[12] https://www.theregister.com/2022/01/13/google_analytics_gdpr/
[13] https://www.theregister.com/2022/02/23/dpia_microsoft/
[14] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Waiting for that crippling fine
I hope they win and Google must pay restitution to any and all EU citizen they hold data about without voluntary and explicit consent where the burden of consent proof will be reversed such that Google is held to having data illegally collected from each EU citizen, unless Google can prove they got voluntary and explicit consent for any and all purposes that Google uses data for.
One is allowed to dream nice dreams, not?
Re: Waiting for that crippling fine
Voluntary and explicit consent?
Hmm, you never had to set up an Android phone, right? You must consent to a lot of crap in order to be able to use your phone.
Re: Waiting for that crippling fine
You must consent
The "must" is a problem under GDPR. Consenting to data collection beyond what's needed to deliver the service should not be a condition of provided the service.
Re: Waiting for that crippling fine
Don't forget informed .
Dutch should buy some mirrors
In order to see what they are doing themselves. I work in IT services, see many healthcare organizations move their systems off-prem to Azure without any second thoughts about the impact on privacy sensitive information of EU citizens that is moved into US jurisdiction.
It involves semi public institutions like banks, hospitals and governmental institutions who are engaging in those violations without ever being questioned about this.
Making a lot of noise about google picking up that one is searching information about drilling appliances and slapping a few ads, is petty.
Re: Dutch should buy some mirrors
Report them if you see it.
Re: Dutch should buy some mirrors
>> Making a lot of noise about google picking up that one is searching information about drilling appliances and slapping a few ads, is petty.
That's not all google is doing though. They track as many aspects of user behaviour as they can across as many devices as they can, and then combine that data to build up a profile. It's invasive behaviour, and they are very secretive about what they are doing. GDPR etc don't go far enough. The internet giants need to be subject to the same level of scrutiny that they apply to the population, and fined every time they use data for a purpose that users haven't explicitly agreed to.
You can sell advertising on the internet, and target it pretty well too, without needing the huge data warehouses Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, etc have built.
Attack the advertisers to get results
Google only makes its revenue through the advertisers that pay for the platform. They are the ones actively encouraging Google et al to go further into the privacy of everyone's personal info.
The advertisers and marketeers are the true scum l, they are the bottom feeding parasites that will do anything to sell their wares. They don't truly care whether it's Google or Microsoft , just as long as they get into the first page of results..
Illness
You can tell whether someone is worried about their health in your household if suddenly you get adverts related to different health issues.
It's also "funny" if you have a guest over and soon enough you get adverts about girls next door eagerly waiting for you.
Google business model should be illegal.