Monday, 17 September 2007

Now Google Wants Global Privacy Standards

Google has called for global privacy standards and this comes from a company that is often accused of invading Internet users privacy.

Google’s global privacy counsel, Peter Fleischer, told a UN audience in Strasbourg, France, that confused international privacy laws have been problematic for companies and they do not protect consumers. He asked the United Nations to create global standards that could later be adopted by countries depending on their needs.

"The ultimate goal should be to create minimum standards of privacy protection that meet the expectations and demands of consumers, businesses and governments," Fleischer said.

Google has been criticised by pro-privacy advocates for its privacy policies and its planned USD 3.1 billion acquisition of DoubleClick. Both the sites collect information on user’s behaviour on sites they visit.

The European Union is now investigating Google's privacy practices.