Google is trying to argue UK privacy laws aren’t applicable to its actions because it is an American company.
Currently facing a huge group legal action by UK consumers who were victims of its iPhone hacking scheme, Google is arguing that its American roots mean it cannot be prosecuted under British privacy law.
The search engine giant bypassed users’ iPhone settings in order to track their internet usage and gather data. The privacy settings circumnavigation was discovered by a researcher at Stanford University in California, which allowed Google to use cookies to track user’s web activities.
This was done using specially designed software to bypass Apple’s settings that automatically block companies from installing any cookies on their devices.
Google has already been fined a record breaking $22.5 million (£14.4 million) by American authorities for the same offence, but is saying UK courts have “no jurisdiction” over their actions.
As an American company based in Silicon Valley, Google believes it cannot be fined under UK privacy laws and has submitted a statement to the High Court explaining such arguments.
It suggests that as the consumer services come from Google Inc rather than Google UK, it may be able to bypass any fines or punishments under UK law.
Unsurprisingly, claimants fighting Google say the search engine giant and its policies “don’t respect” UK law and suggest its ideas on privacy are aligned with its avoidance of paying appropriate UK tax.
Britain’s independent freedom of information and data protection watchdog, the Information Commissioner’s Office, would only be able to impose a maximum fine of £500,000. Such a figure would be completely ineffective against Google, as it would only equate to less than 0.002 per cent of the company’s annual turnover.
“What are they suggesting – that they will force Apple users whose privacy was violated to pay to travel to California to take action when they offer a service in this country on a .co.uk site?” added Judith Vidal-Hall, another claimant.
Next, read our pick of the best Android tablets to buy in 2013.
Via: Telegraph
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
