Google accused in Austria for privacy issues: Search engine illegally tracking user data
Google accused in Austria for privacy issues: Search engine illegally tracking user data. Austrian privacy organization NOYB accuses Google of tracking users through the Chrome browser, with complaints submitted to the Austrian Data Protection Authority. Google announced in 2023 that it will phase out third-party cookies, replacing them with Privacy Sandbox to improve consumer privacy. NOYB's complaint alleges that the new feature will enable first-party tracking. The chairman of NOYB claims that Google deceives users and that legality requires knowledge, transparency, and fairness
According to Zhitong Finance, Google (GOOGL.US) is facing privacy accusations from the Austrian privacy organization NOYB, which claims that Google tracks users through its Chrome browser. NOYB's complaint alleges that users were deceived into accepting the "ad privacy feature" which "actually tracks user footprints." The accusation has been submitted to the Austrian Data Protection Authority. NOYB has previously filed privacy infringement lawsuits against many large tech companies.
In 2023, Google announced that it will gradually phase out third-party cookies in the Chrome browser, replacing them with Privacy Sandbox to enhance consumer privacy. NOYB's complaint states that enabling the new feature will activate first-party tracking. NOYB Chairman Max Schrems stated: "Google simply lied to users. People thought they agreed to a privacy feature, but were deceived into accepting Google's first-party ad tracking. Consent must be informed, transparent, and fair to be legal. Google's actions are exactly the opposite."