Google’s privacy policy violates law, Dutch officials claim

The Dutch data protection authority carried out an investigation into Google’s practice of combining personal data, which it has done since the introduction of its new privacy policy in March 2012.

According to the DPA report, Google combines the personal data from internet users that are collected by all kinds of different Google services without adequately informing them in advance and without asking for their consent.

“Google spins an invisible web of our personal data, without our consent. And that is forbidden by law,” said Jacob Kohnstamm, chairman of the Dutch data protection authority.

The Dutch DPA has invited Google to attend a hearing, after which the authority will decide whether to take enforcement measures.