Too many steps and misleading options to obtain GDPR compliant settings, according to the complaint coordinated by the Beuc. While just one click is enough to create the account under the conditions dictated by the company. The group's reply: "We comply with the guidelines of the EU Data Protection Board" 30 Jun 2022 L. O.
Google favors signing up for your account in a "misleading" way. Contravening in this way the Gdpr that wants a "privacy by design" and by default. This is the accusation that 10 consumer groups coordinated by the BEUC, the European Consumer Organization, launch against the American company for "unfair commercial practice". The group rejects the allegations: "The options we propose to consumers were designed based on extensive research and feedback from website testers." Index of topics • European dossiers against Google & Co. • Google Account on Android • Few benefits with the "pro-privacy" option • Complaint handling • Meanwhile, Google Cloud-H&M agreement is European dossiers against Google & Co. The complaint is the latest in a growing line that sees consumer organizations play an increasingly active role in the application of the GDPR through complaints related to consumer protection. The most significant recent cases concern WhatsApp and TikTok.
"It takes a simple step to allow Google to monitor and leverage everything you do. If you want to benefit from privacy-friendly settings, you have to navigate through a longer process and a mix of unclear and misleading options," said BEUC Deputy Director-General Ursula Pachl. Google Account on Android The complaint underscores the fact that consumers are obliged to create a Google Account when they buy a smartphone running Android, which accounts for 70% of smartphones in the world. But the company defends itself: "We know that consumer trust depends on honesty and transparency, which is why we have focused our future success on creating increasingly simple and accessible controls and offering people clearer choices. And, just as important, do more with less data." But users, consumers explain, can "express personalization" when creating the account with a single click, subscribing to what consumer advocates call "default surveillance ." Instead, to turn off "manual personalization," users must perform five steps (and ten clicks). For the BEUC and its members, the information provided in this "registration manual" is unclear, incomplete and misleading, with the result that consumers make choices without transparently understanding how their personal data will be processed. Few benefits with the "pro-privacy" option In addition, the complaint notes that Google presents the least invasive option of privacy as it lacks advantages, preventing consumers from making a free and informed choice. Google Accounts track users across all Google services, including Chrome, Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps, so the registration process is critical in the way the company operates. Google rejects the accusation that the options presented are unclear, pointing out that they were designed based on extensive research and feedback from website testers. In addition, Google notes that its approach is in line with the guidelines of the European Data Protection Board, which brings together all EU data protection authorities. "We welcome the opportunity to engage on this important issue with consumer advocates and regulators in Europe. People should be able to understand how data is generated from their use of Internet services. If they don't like it, they should be able to do something about it." Complaint handling National consumer associations have lodged the complaint with their respective data protection authorities in Czechia, France, Norway, Greece and Slovenia. In Germany, a warning letter has been sent to Google that could be a first step in starting a lawsuit. Consumer groups in Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands have sent a letter to their national authorities informing them of Google's practices. Similarly, U.S. consumer advocates of transatlantic dialogue with consumers are writing to the Federal Trade Commission. Meanwhile, Google Cloud-H&M agreement is signed Meanwhile, Google Cloud announces a new partnership with H&M Group, a global fashion retailer. The strategic agreement will enable the multinational retailer to offer customers more effective omnichannel experiences and optimize internal supply chains through a robust enterprise data infrastructure and advanced AI/ML capabilities The alliance will see the Swedish multinational leverage Google Cloud's extensive data analytics capabilities and secure and sustainable global infrastructure to further enhance its customer experience and supply chain enablement. Google Cloud will partner with H&M Group to develop an enterprise data backbone that will include a core data platform, product data, and advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities. It will also be planned to create a new data mesh to make any type of data and event even more accessible and from multiple sources, including stores, online, the ecosystem of brands and suppliers.