The Electronic Privacy Information Center filed a complaint and motion...

March 1, Google plans to integrate user information across most of its products (WID Jan 26 p3). EPIC alleges that this change in business practice “is in clear violation of the consent order that Google entered into on Oct. 13,” EPIC said in a press release. The commission “has thus far failed to take any action regarding this matter, placing the privacy interests of literally hundreds of millions of Internet users at grave risk,” the complaint said. Google violates the consent order concerning its defunct Buzz service by misrepresenting the extent “to which it maintains and protects the privacy and confidentiality of covered information.” The company also failed to “obtain affirmative consent from users prior to sharing their information with third parties,” EPIC’s complaint said. In the motion, EPIC asked the court to issue a temporary restraining order “compelling the FTC to enforce the consent order.” Google settled claims with FTC last year that it betrayed its own privacy promises to consumers using Buzz (WID March 31 p3). Google is “happy to engage in constructive conversations” about its updated privacy policy, “but EPIC is wrong on the facts and the law,” a spokesman said in an email. “We've undertaken the most extensive notification effort in Google’s history to ensure that users have many opportunities and ample time to learn about our Privacy Policy changes.” The company also continues offering choice and control over how people use Google services, he said.