Austrian Advocacy Group Hits Google With Privacy Complaint Over Chrome Browser
Google has received a privacy violation complaint from an Austrian advocacy group, None of Your Business (NOYB), alleging that the company was tracking users with the Chrome web browser. Learn more about the complaint and what it might mean for the tech giant.
- Google is facing a complaint from the Austrian advocacy group NOYB about allegedly tracking Chrome users through the browser.
- The development comes as the U.S. tech giant has started to phase out the use of third-party cookies to safeguard consumer privacy.
Google is facing a complaint from the Austrian advocacy group None of Your Business (NOYB) for allegedly using the Chrome browser to track users, violating customer privacy. European regulators are already investigating the issue. The complaint comes as the tech leader is making moves to stop using third-party cookies used by websites and advertisers to track consumer behavior.
Google has set up the Privacy Sandbox, a set of tools that disallow covert tracking tools and minimize data sharing with third parties. However, publishers and developers can measure ad performance without getting data on individual users. Chrome browser users can choose whether to use the ad privacy feature.
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However, NOYB’s complaint states that using the feature allows Google to track users while on the browser, which violates EU privacy rules, as the company has not obtained user consent for such tracking activities. The complaint states that while the feature stops third-party tracking, it enables first-party tracking instead.
Google’s spokesperson refuted the allegations, stating that Google had only improved its methods to improve consumer privacy. The company stated it has been working with competition and privacy regulators to keep up with legal requirements.
Despite the assurances, Google has faced several complaints regarding user data privacy in recent years. These include investigations from the European Commission, the U.S. government, Australia, India, France, Britain, Italy, Germany, China, Ireland, South Korea, etc.
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