Google accused by seven European consumer associations of spying on its users

"This secret spinning must stop. " This is how the Dutch consumer badociation Consumentenbond summarizes the purpose of the complaint filed in seven European countries (Norway, Poland, Greece, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Sweden and the Netherlands). Seven badociations have seized their respective national regulators: all blame Google for spying on the movements of its users and violating the new rules of the RGPD.

According to the European Bureau of Consumer Unions, the complaints are based on a study by a Norwegian consumer organization. According to her, Google "Uses misleading design and information that leads users to accept constant follow-up". And this without any proper legal basis: "Data is acquired through manipulation techniques"adds Gro Mette Moen, an official of the Norwegian organization quoted by AFP.

All knowledge of a user

"Location data can reveal a lot about a person: his movements in real time, the places he frequents regularly, his daily routines, his interests, and so on. Constant tracking of location and aggregation of location data over time can be used to draw very detailed portraits of individuals and to deduce their religious beliefs, political inclinations and badual orientation, among other things. "she explains in detail.

This is due to the "Location History" and "Web Activity" features and applications that are built into all Google Accounts, which are critical to the full use of Android smartphones. The Norwegian consumer badociation therefore calls for the opening of an investigation, as well as an injunction for Google to stop these practices deemed "Illegal". Eventually, she wants a fine "Deterrent" against the Mountain View giant.

Google accused for several months

For its part, Google indicates "Constantly working to improve [ses] controls ". "Location History is disabled by default and you can edit, delete, or pause it at any time. If enabled, it helps improve services such as traffic forecasts on your route.adds Google.

Except that last August, a survey by the AP agency showed that the Californian company continued to store punctually the precise position of a user, even if the history of positions was disabled. So do not hesitate to also cut the "Web Activity" feature, which also records the positions of the device, without naming it precisely.