Google May Face Fine Under EU Privacy Laws

angry tapir writes "Google faces financial sanctions in France after failing to comply with an order to alter how it stores and shares user data to conform to the nation's privacy laws. The enforcement follows an analysis led by European data protection authorities of a new privacy policy that Google enacted in 2012. France's privacy watchdog, the Commission Nationale de L'Informatique et des Libertes, in June ordered Google to comply with French data protection laws within three months. But Google had not changed its policies to comply with French laws by a deadline last week."

Comments

Data Retention Directive

[Anonymous Coward]

And would this be the same EU that has the data retention directive? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_Retention_Directive

As bad as Google can get, it's a paragon of privacy compared to our Glorious Leaders.

chump change

[schneidafunk]

FTA: " Google could be fined a maximum of €150,000 (US$202,562), or €300,000 for a second offense"

Re:chump change

[TheP4st]

This seems like a dig for France to extort money more than anything else.

Are you actually serious and believe the 5th largest economy in the world spend more money in legal costs alone than they ever will recuperate from fines just so they can extort Google out of 150K? I normally refrain from insulting people but will make an exception in your case as you just displayed a level of intelligence that genuinely make me wonder how many chromosomes you are equipped with.

Re:Go, France!

[Anonymous Coward]

No country has any authority to pass laws about a company which doesn't operate there. When a user in country A goes to a server in country B, the laws of country B are what matter. Just like when you travel to a country on vacation, it's THAT countries laws which apply, not the laws of the country you're coming from.

So, what about google.fr?

Re:LOL

[Chrisq]

So you're replying to comments not yet made? GOD I hope there won't be any fanboy replies.

I'm a fanboi of the French you insensitive clod

Re:Now they're in trouble

[pixelpusher220]

EU: We're going to fine you
Google: Just a sec...
Google: Hello NSA? uh, anything you can do here?
NSA: We knew you'd be calling...

Re:Go, France!

[AGMW]

When a user in country A goes to a server in country B, the laws of country B are what matter. Just like when you travel to a country on vacation, it's THAT countries laws which apply, not the laws of the country you're coming from.

America can't have it both ways. They made online gambling illegal and then go after the companies offering online gambling from elsewhere. Dudes, it's not the online gambling that's the problem, it's your citizens being bad by ignoring your retarded online gambling laws!

... and now the French are giving you some of your own medicine. Reap what you have sown!

Tony Blair did that one

[Anonymous Coward]

He pushed it through when UK had the EU Presidency.

It established the principle that you are innocent now, but maybe in future you're not, ergo we require companies to track you. Move forward nearly a decade and that data is handed to a foreign spy agency who data mines it, and trades it with other countries in exchange for more data.

Where's Tony Blair now? Well New York mostly, with his 30 pieces of silver.