Google accused of users’ location tracking
Google has been accused of flouting European data protection laws when it tracks users' locations.
A coalition of seven consumer organisations in the Netherlands, Poland, Greece, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden and the Czech Republic plan to file complaints to their local regulators under Europe's General Data Protection Regulation, according to BBC.
The complaints draw on research by one coalition member, which alleges people are forced to use the location system.
Google said tracking was turned off by default and could be paused at any time by users.
In a statement, the coalition said Google used "deceptive practices" to make people turn on its different tracking systems. Consent, it said, was not being freely given.
In addition, it alleged, Google did not give "straightforward information" about what surrendering the data entailed.
Location data could give deep insights into someone's lifestyle including their religious beliefs, political activity, health and sexual orientation, said the statement.