EU users can choose which Google services can share personal data – IT Pro – News

Google now lets EU users decide whether the company's services can share their personal data. This currently happens as standard, but the Digital Markets Act will automatically disconnect it from 6 March.

Currently, all Google services are linked, which means that user data from one Google service, for example YouTube, is automatically shared with the company's other services, such as Google Search, Chrome, Maps and its advertising services for personalized ads. This includes searches, videos watched, and apps downloaded. Google will provide its services However, starting March 6, the connection will be disconnected by default for EU users. As of the same day, Google must comply with the requirements of the Digital Markets Act. If users want some or all of the services to share their personal data, they must actively give permission to do so. They can actually do that now, so the services will remain connected as of March 6.

Google warns that some features of offline services may not work or may only work partially. For example, recommendations on Google Search, YouTube, and Chrome are less personalized, and if a user makes a reservation through Google Search, they will no longer appear in Maps.

Google also states that some user data will be shared “for certain purposes.” The tech giant mentions fraud prevention, protection from spam and abuse, and “compliance with the law.” The user data involved is not mentioned. The company also continues to share data if it is mission-critical. For example, when users make a purchase through Google Play, information must be shared with Google Payments to complete the purchase. Data is also still shared with third parties.

Google is designated as a 'gatekeeper' under the Digital Markets Act and must therefore meet various requirements. In general, the DMA should lead to the large platforms of these gatekeepers becoming more “open”, for example by making them more interoperable and giving users the freedom to choose applications and services.

Updated at 3:25 p.m: An earlier version of the article said that Google would give users the option to cut off its services. this is not true; Services are disconnected by default, but if users want to keep them connected, they must actively choose to do so. The article has been modified accordingly.