EU consumer groups hit Google with location tracking complaints

Consumer groups from across the bloc have signaled their plans to file formal complaints against the tech giant. Google has been accused of secretly tracking users' movement, even after they try to disable such features.

European consumer agencies on Tuesday said they will file complaints against Google for allegedly breaching the EU's data protection law GDPR by tracking the movement of users without their consent through features such as "location history" and "web and app activity."

Consumer groups from the Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovenia and Sweden said they will file complaints with their countries' respective data protection authorities, which is basic procedure under GDPR.

Norwegian consumer group Forbrukerradet tweeted a video explaining Google's practices, saying the tech giant "manipulates you to accept being followed step by step."

Google manipulates you to accept being followed step by step. See what you allegedly have said yes to, and why this is in breach of GDPR. @beuc @Consumentenbond @ekpizo @SvKonsumenter @CasopisdTest @zpsslo #deceivedbydesign https://t.co/VGuufPgvyG pic.twitter.com/FNhmwBlhro

— Forbrukerrådet (@Forbrukerradet) November 27, 2018

"These unfair practices leave consumers in the dark about the use of their personal data," the European Consumer Organization said in a statement. "They do not give consumers a real choice other than providing their location data, which is then used by the company for a wide range of purposes, including targeted advertising."

'Improve your Google experience'

But Google has rejected the allegations. A company spokesman told Reuters news agency that "location history" is turned off "by default." He added that users can decide to edit, delete or pause its use whenever they want to.

"If you pause it, we make clear that — depending on your individual phone and app settings — we might still collect and use location data to improve your Google experience," the spokesman said.

Google has consistently asserted its commitment to GDPR, saying its services comply with the EU regulation.

'Forced consent'

The GDPR, formerly known as the EU's General Data Protection Regulation, went into effect on May 25, 2018. But this isn't the first time Google has been targeted by GDPR complaints.

On day one of enforcement, Austrian digital rights group Noyb filed complaints against Google's Android application for what it described as "forced consent." Instead of making users feel free to make a decision about a service's data privacy policy, "the opposite feeling spread on the screens" of users, the group argued.

Under GDPR, an entity such as Google can be fined up to 4 percent of global revenues for violations.