Technology giant Google was given until February 2015 to make changes on its data policies and to better protect the privacy of Dutch citizens or else face a fine of more than $18 million, a Dutch data watchdog said on Monday.
According to the Dutch Data Protection Authority (DPA), Google violated several Dutch laws concerning its citizens' user data. The Dutch watchdog said that the U.S.-based internet giant should be more transparent with how it handles the user data of its Dutch users through its different services offered.
The Dutch watchdog gave Google until the end of February next year to comply with its order or otherwise face the large fine.
The 2012 privacy guidelines of Google resulted in several probes from five other Data Protection Agencies in other countries in Europe, including Spain, Britain, Italy, Germany, France and the Netherlands, according to the DPA.
"This has been ongoing since 2012, and we hope our patience will no longer be tested," said Jacob Kohnstamm, chairman of the Dutch DPA.
Kohntstamm also said that Google's process of combining data gathered from its services for its advertising catches Dutch citizens in an "invisible web" of sensitive and personal data without permission.
The watchdog group said that Google must first be transparent in asking permission before combining its users' personal information and that it should further revise its privacy policy.
Google spokesperson Al Verney said that they are "disappointed" with the Dutch watchdog's order as the firm already made changes on its privacy policy as a response for their concerns.
Veryney added that Google recently shared several proposals for further amendments with the DPAs in Europe and that they are looking forward to discuss the proposals together soon.