Google sign-up a 'fast track to surveillance', consumer groups say

Image source, Getty Images

A coalition of ten European consumer groups are threatening to take action over the account sign-up process.

In order to use a number of its products and services, you must have an account with the internet search engine.

The sign-up process steers users towards options that collect more data, according to the coalition.

The opportunity to engage with consumer advocates was welcomed by the company, according to the report.

The company said that consumer trust depended on honesty and transparency.

It's just as important to do more with less data.

The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), which co-ordinates the coalition, claims the language used in the registration process is "unclear, incomplete, and misleading."

Tens of millions of Europeans have been placed on a fast track to be surveilled when they sign up to a Google account, according to BEUC.

The critical point at which users are asked to choose how their account will operate is sign up, according to the consumer organisation.

The simplest one step "express personalisation" process leaves consumers with account settings that are related to the internet giant's activities.

There is no option to turn all settings off in one click.

It takes five clicks and ten steps to turn off the tracking on a new account, according to BEUC.

The deputy director general of the BEUC said that it takes one simple step to let the internet giant monitor your activities. If you want to benefit from privacy-friendly settings, you need to navigate through a long process and a lot of confusing options.

When you sign up for a Google account, you are subjected to surveillement by default. Privacy protection should be the first choice for consumers.

The General Data Protection Regulation requires platforms to give users privacy by default.

All options are clearly labelled and designed to be easy to understand, according to the search engine.

They are based on the company's research.

People should be aware of how data is generated from their use of internet services. They should be able to take action if they don't like it.

Image source, Getty Images

In the Czech Republic, Norway, Greece, France and Slovenia, members of the BEUC have filed complaints with their data protection authorities.

The Federation of German Consumer Organisations sent a letter to the search engine.

The latest action has been told that a previous investigation has made progress.

The members of the BEUC filed a complaint against the tech giant in relation to user location tracking.

The lead authority on the complaints was the Data Protection Commission of Ireland.

Tech companies with European headquarters in Ireland are subject to the commission's data protection authority.

The inquiry was launched in February 2020.

The Irish Data Protection Commissioner in charge of the case has yet to make a decision on the complaints. The practices of the company have not changed.

Ireland's deputy data protection commissioner told the BBC that they expect to send a draft decision to their colleagues in the next few months.