France orders Google to change privacy policy

Paris: France’s data protection watchdog ordered Google on Thursday to change its privacy policy or face fines, heading an European Union-wide push to get the internet giant to better spell out its intentions and methods for collecting user data.

The CNIL watchdog said Google Inc’s privacy policy violated French laws and gave the US company three months to make changes or risk a fine of up to €150,000 (Dh728,429) and a second of €300,000 if it still failed to act.

The CNIL’s move is the result of a year-long tussle with the top search engine and email provider. It said Spain, Britain, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands planned to take similar action in coming weeks.