Google slammed by Italian government over data protection
Italy has given Google 18 months to change its policies on data privacy


Italy's data protection regulator has ordered Google to change its attitude and policies towards data protection, including how it stores user data.
The advisory is part of an investigation into the search engine's practices by a number of European nations who say the consolidation of 60 of its privacy policies into one is not fair.
Most of Google's services were rolled into the policy in 2012, including YouTube, Gmail and Google Search, and the company did not give users the choice as to whether they wanted to accept the conditions or not.
The Italian regulator has said it wants Google to allow users to opt in to the conditions and advise them their data may be used for commercial purposes. It also wants Google to delete data relating to its users within two months.
The regulator has given the search giant 18 months to make the changes, saying the way the company currently deals with data is inadequate, even though Google has already made changes to its policy in order to meet local laws.
A Google spokesman said: "We've engaged fully with the Italian DPA throughout this process to explain our privacy policy and how it allows us to create simpler, more effective services, and we'll continue to do so. We'll be reading their report closely to determine next steps."
Google will provide a document by the end of September, detailing what it plans to do and how it will meet Italy's demands. If Google does not comply, the company could face fines of up to 1m.
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
Other countries that complained about Google's use of data include the UK, Netherlands, France and Spain.
Last week, Google was involved in another line of questioning with the EU about how it deals with requests to remove links to outdated or irrelevant content in its search engine.

Clare is the founder of Blue Cactus Digital, a digital marketing company that helps ethical and sustainability-focused businesses grow their customer base.
Prior to becoming a marketer, Clare was a journalist, working at a range of mobile device-focused outlets including Know Your Mobile before moving into freelance life.
As a freelance writer, she drew on her expertise in mobility to write features and guides for ITPro, as well as regularly writing news stories on a wide range of topics.
-
Cleo attack victim list grows as Hertz confirms customer data stolen
News Hertz has confirmed it suffered a data breach as a result of the Cleo zero-day vulnerability in late 2024, with the car rental giant warning that customer data was stolen.
By Ross Kelly
-
Lateral moves in tech: Why leaders should support employee mobility
In-depth Encouraging staff to switch roles can have long-term benefits for skills in the tech sector
By Keri Allan
-
The UK cybersecurity sector is worth over £13 billion, but experts say there’s huge untapped potential if it can overcome these hurdles
Analysis A new report released by the DSIT revealed the UK’s cybersecurity sector generated £13.2 billion over the last year
By Solomon Klappholz
-
"Thinly spread": Questions raised over UK government’s latest cyber funding scheme
The funding will go towards bolstering cyber skills, though some industry experts have questioned the size of the price tag
By George Fitzmaurice
-
Threat of cyber attacks to national security compared to that of chemical weapons
News The UK government has raised the threat level posed by cyber attacks, deeming it greater on average than an event such as the Salisbury poisoning
By Rory Bathgate
-
2022 Public Sector Identity Index Report
Whitepaper UK Report
By ITPro
-
UK and Japan strike digital partnership to collaborate on IoT security, semiconductors
News The two countries are also set to align their approaches to digital regulation to make it easier for companies to operate in each nation
By Zach Marzouk
-
Defra's legacy software problem 'threatens' UK gov cyber security until 2030
News The department spends over two-thirds of its digital budget on maintaining the risky applications, with no plan in place for a fix within the decade
By Rory Bathgate
-
Netherlands urges citizens to prepare survival kits in case hackers target critical infrastructure
News The latest campaign from the national coordinator for security echoes the growing concern in the UK government over serious cyber attacks
By Zach Marzouk
-
35 cyber startups join largest UK government-backed accelerator
News The startups will benefit from business masterclasses, mentoring and engineering support, and technical product development support
By Zach Marzouk