Google wants to abide by its own rules when it comes to data protection, however, the Article 29 Working Party (A29WP) an independent EU advisory body on data protection and privacy, has thrown its hook and hopes to reel Google into compliance with Europe’s data protection regime, particularly in relation to records kept on user’s search enquiries.

A29WP stated that Google did not consider the European law on data protection to applicable to the search behemoth, even though it has servers and establishments in Europe and that Google wishes to retain personal data on users beyond the six month period requested by the A29WP.

Google’s justification is that the use of such data is to improve the quality of search results, fight fraud and improve data security. The A29WP is not so convinced and is concerned that Google’s retention period is unduly longer than necessary for the specific purposes of processing.

On the 8^th September Google affirmed that they wished to collaborate with the European data protection agency and would reduce their retention period from 18 months to 9. Persistently, A29WP with a short list of other points of concern, refused to be easily brushed off and will be holding hearings with Google this week to discuss the situation.

Keep on eye on solicitr to find out whether Google gets slapped wrists.

Or a few mere ‘political donations’ can lead to a speedy settlement