France threatens Google with privacy fines
France threatens Google with privacy fines, says other European countries to follow
FILE - In this Dec. 6, 2011 file photo, the Google logo is seen on the carpet at Google France offices before its inauguration, in Paris. France is giving Google three months to abide by the country's data privacy laws or be fined. The chief of the French agency that regulates information technology says that five other European countries are taking similar steps in a staggered offensive against Google's privacy policy between now and the end of July. The French agency says Spain joined France in the first wave of legal action Thursday June, 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon, Pool, File)
PARIS (AP) -- France is giving Google three months to abide by the country's data privacy laws or be fined.
The chief of the French agency that regulates information technology says that five other European countries are taking similar steps in a staggered offensive against Google's privacy policy between now and the end of July.
The French agency says Spain joined France in the first wave of legal action Thursday, and that Britain, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands will join in the coming weeks.
Paris' formal warning gives the company three months to make changes to its privacy practices, such as specifying to users what it is using personal data for. If not, Google risks a fine of up to 300,000 euros by France, and millions of euros across all six countries.
