Google data.
Web Policy. Our recent research on Google’s circumvention of the Safari cookie blocking feature has led to some confusion, in part owing to the company’s statement in response (reproduced in its entirety below).
This post is an attempt to elucidate the central issues. As with the original writeup, I aim for a neutral viewpoint in the interest of establishing a common factual understanding. To begin, I’d like to lend some structure to ongoing policy discussions by unpacking the four business practices that are at issue. Social advertising. Google is leveraging user account information to personalize its advertising on non-Google websites. Google Sued Over Safari Privacy Problem. When it rains, it pours: Google has taken a bit of criticism and drawn the attention of a number of members of Congress for its role in "Safarigate," or accusations that Google bypassed the privacy settings on Apple's Safari web browser to track iPhone and iPad usage. But that's not the only branch of government with which the company will soon be contending.
According to a report from Bloomberg, a Safari user in Illinois has filed the first class-action lawsuit against Google for its role in the Safari mix-up – alleging that Google's "willful and knowing actions" violated federal wiretapping laws, among other statutes. While Google's declined to comment about the lawsuit itself, filed Friday, the company has gone on record with a few comments about its role in the Safari mix-up – an act that the Wall Street Journal's initial report, "mischaracterizes," Google claims. It hasn't been enough to appease Congress, either.
Yesterday, Reps. And they aren't the only lawmakers inquiring. Google's privacy row with Apple highlights problems with EU cookie laws. Google is reportedly one of a number of advertisers that have been bypassing Apple’s privacy settings to track the browsing habits of Safari users.
According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), code placed in display ads installed cookies in internet browsers without the user's permission. Safari blocks websites from using cookies without user consent, but Google’s code circumvented this by making the browser think that the user was interacting with the web page by filling out a form. Google could then install a cookie on the user’s phone or computer and track their browsing across the web.
Three other online-ad companies were found using similar techniques: Vibrant Media Inc, WPP PLC's Media Innovation Group LLC and Gannett Co.'s PointRoll Inc. Google Under Fire: Tech Giant Bypassed Safari Users’ Privacy Settings. Due to recent changes, Google’s privacy policies have been closely scrutinized by industry experts, government regulators, and consumer advocacy groups over the past several months.
On Friday afternoon a Stanford graduate student and tech researcher, Jonathan Mayer, discovered that Google was using a special computer code to bypass the privacy settings of millions of Safari users. Google bypassed the default Safari privacy settings by hiding a web form inside of an online ad displayed on the website. Once a Safari user clicked the +1 button within the ad, a web form falsely communicated that the Safari user had completed a form and as a result Google was able to install a tracking cookie. Since the Apple browser is one of the most popular browsers in the world and comes preinstalled on iPhones, iPads, and Apple computers, this privacy breach was widespread and has affected a relatively large percentage of Internet users.
“Google has clearly engaged in ‘unfair and deceptive’ practices.
Judge allows group to oppose FTC settlement with Google. News By Grant Gross August 29, 2012 11:10 AM ET IDG News Service - A judge has allowed privacy group Consumer Watchdog to move forward with an effort to oppose a $22.5 million privacy settlement between Google and the U.S.
Federal Trade Commission. Google User Sues Over Claim Toolbar Software Violates Privacy. Google Inc., owner of the world’s most popular search engine, was accused in a lawsuit of violating users’ privacy rights because its Toolbar software allegedly transmits their Internet activity to the company.
The complaint, filed in federal court in San Jose, California, claims Google has misled users who download the software, used to search and browse the web, to believe they can disable features that transmit personal data to the company. The case, which seeks class-action, or group, status, was filed on behalf of Jason Weber of Brooklyn, New York. “With products such as Toolbar, Google acquires a great deal of information about users’ Internet activities, adding to the already substantial information it acquires by providing a search engine, network advertising, and more,” according to the complaint filed Nov. 5.
Users of Google Toolbar “transmit information about themselves and their online activities to Google that they intended to keep private,” according to the complaint.