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The Federal Trade Commission has finalized a settlement with Google over its Buzz social-networking feature, which drew sharp criticism after a series of privacy flaws led to the unauthorized exposure of users’ personal information.
FTC Finalizes Google Buzz Privacy Settlement
By Matt O’Donnell
The Federal Trade Commission has finalized a settlement with Google over its Buzz social-networking feature, which drew sharp criticism after a series of privacy flaws led to the unauthorized exposure of users’ personal information. The FTC announcement comes several months after Google reached a class action lawsuit settlement with users over Google Buzz’s privacy flaws. Google agreed to pay $8.5 million, which — after attorneys’ fees and expenses were deducted — was donated to Internet privacy and education groups. The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) subsequently filed a complaint with the FTC, which resulted in the current FTC settlement.
The FTC Google Buzz settlement was first announced in March but was subject to a public comment period, which is now over, paving the way for the FTC to finalize the agreement.
“The settlement resolves charges that Google used deceptive tactics that violated its own privacy promises to consumers when it launched its social network, Google Buzz, in 2010,” the FTC said in a statement.
The FTC Google Buzz settlement bans Google from future privacy misrepresentations, requires it to implement a privacy program, and calls for regular, independent audits every two years for the next 20 years.
Google already made some changes to its privacy policy last year after admitting its Street View cars accidentally collected passwords, e-mails and other private information that was being transmitted over unencrypted Wi-Fi networks. The Street View “Wi-Spy” debacle led to numerous privacy class action lawsuits launched against the company.
Google announced recently that it plans to shut down the much maligned Google Buzz service in the next few weeks in order to focus on its budding Google+. With all the privacy problems Google’s been having, one wonders if Google+ will also lead to a string of class action lawsuits.
Updated November 3rd, 2011
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One thought on FTC Finalizes Google Buzz Privacy Settlement
I had an iPhone 3GS also can I file a claim for bother of my iPhones, I do not remember the serial number for the iPhone 3gs 16 gb.
Mary M. Moore