German data protection authorities are investigating whether Google’s web traffic measurement system Google Analytics routinely infringes privacy laws, according to a German newspaper report.
Zeit reports that several regional authorities, as well as the national Federal Data Protection Commissioner, are investigating whether the use of the system is a breach of web users’ privacy rights unless their permission is obtained.
Google Analytics gathers, stores and collates information about website visitors. It tells web publishers how many unique visitors have been to a site, what pages they visited in what order and for how long. Such information is essential for web publishers in the creation of their sites and the management of advertising.
Read more on Out-Law.com