If you are one of the millions of
people who use Google's online search engine, email or YouTube video
site, you might want to pay close attention. Google is changing its
privacy policy to allow it to track users across services.
The company says beginning March 1, it is turning its more than 60
different privacy policies into one policy that will cover multiple
products and features to create a "simple and intuitive" experience.
Google says it may combine information users have provided from one
service with information from other services to better tailor search
results and advertising.
But
critics are concerned that Google is not providing a way to opt out of
the tracking. The chief executive of nonprofit advocacy group Common
Sense Media issued a statement calling Google's new privacy announcement
"frustrating and a little frightening." He said consumers, especially
kids and teens, should have the option to opt out.
Google and social media titan Facebook have faced privacy disputes in
the past.
The European Commission proposed new rules Wednesday to require such
companies to give consumers more control over their personal data or be
fined up to $1.3 million or 2 percent of their annual global turnover.
EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding called the protection of personal
data a "fundamental right," but said people do not always feel in
control of their information.
Her proposal includes the controversial "right to be forgotten,"
allowing users to get data about them deleted if there are no legitimate
grounds for keeping it.
