Google responded quickly to a letter sent by members of Congress, responding with a 13 page response outlining the company’s new privacy policy. Lawmakers aren’t pleased at the idea that, while Google claims this will give users more control over how their data is collected and used, but it will not let them opt out.
“Some have expressed concern about whether consumers can opt out of our updated privacy policy,” wrote Pablo Chavez, Google’s director of public policy. “We understand the question at the heart of this concern. We believe that the relevant issue is whether users have choices about how their data is collected and used.”
Lawmakers consider it inadequate the the only way to opt out is to not use Google services. “Sharing users’ personal information across its products may make good business sense for Google, but it undermines privacy safeguards for consumers,” said Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and co-chairman of the Congressional Privacy Caucus. “Despite Google’s recent response, it still appears that consumers will not be able to completely opt out of data collection and information sharing among Google’s services.”
“Google is putting financial opportunity over customers’ personal privacy and that’s a fact,” said Sen. Joe Barton (R-Texas), co-chair of the Congressional Privacy Caucus, who along with Markey, has asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate. “The company has generic stock language for answers. Very few details are given and the same language appears repeatedly. Google keeps referring to its efforts [as] transparent, but there is nothing transparent in its response. Instead of being so focused on correcting what it believed to be inaccurate media reports, Google should have focused on answering the questions that we asked.”
“While Google clarifies in the letter a number of ways consumers can control their privacy settings, oftentimes consumers remain automatically logged in to Gmail services. … I still have lingering questions remaining,” said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. “I believe the next step is to have Google come in to brief us on these responses so that we can assure true privacy protections are in place before the new policy goes into effect March 1.”
Sounds like the next step might be a new set of hearings.
Source: AdWeek
