01 Aug Privacy Group Sues Google, Demands Explanation for In-Store Tracking Platform
Google will be facing a lawsuit filed by privacy advocates Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) with the US Federal Trade Commission over issues involving a system that pries into card purchases made by customers in shops.
Google launched the Store Sales Measurement program with third-party agreements that enable them to monitor 70% of credit card payments in US stores. It’s made to show advertisers that clicks translate to actual sales.
However, EPIC is pushing Google to explain how they are getting the information, what kind of credit card data is collected, and what encryption system safeguards consumer anonymity.
The privacy group argues that consumers can’t opt out of the tracking system. People cannot make informed choices about which stores to go to if they prefer not to have their credit cards monitored.
To date, Google said the process uses secure encryption, only disclosing anonymous aggregated data to their advertisers.
Source: ZD Net
