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ICO Has Threatened to Fine Google, If The Web Giant Doesn't Make Its Privacy Policy Clear

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has threatened to fine Google, if the web giant doesn't make its privacy policy clearer by September.

Failure to provide information about how it uses and stores user data could see Google fined up to £500,000, although the internet firm's silence on the matter seems to suggest it's unmoved by the prospect of a financial penalty. Indeed, Google hasn't commented on the ongoing investigation by the ICO, which began in April.

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"We have today written to Google to confirm our findings relating to the update of the company's privacy policy. In our letter we confirm that its updated privacy policy raises serious questions about its compliance with the UK Data Protection Act," said a statement by the ICO.

"In particular, we believe that the updated policy does not provide sufficient information to enable UK users of Google's services to understand how their data will be used across all of the company's products.

"Google must now amend their privacy policy to make it more informative for individual service users. Failure to take the necessary action to improve the policies compliance with the Data Protection Act by 20 September will leave the company open to the possibility of formal enforcement action."

The statement marks the second time in recent weeks that Google has been warned by the ICO about its privacy policy and use of data, with an enforcement notice issued regarding the collection of data by Google Street View cars. However, Google managed to escape the situation without a fine.

Source: http://www.computing.co.uk/ctg/news/2279697/ico-threatens-google-with-fine-over-privacy-policy#comment_form
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ICO Threatens Google with Fine Over Privacy Policy