The FTC will prevent Google from acquiring DoubleClick

The three organizations protecting individual freedom in the United States simultaneously voiced their objection, asking the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prevent plans to acquire DoubleClick at a record price of $ 3.1 billion. Google.

It is known that this offer will only be removed in case the search giant approves to stop the user's browsing activity.

The three organizations are the Electronic Personal Information Center (EPIC), the Digital Democratic Center (CDD) and the US Public Interest Research Group (US PIRG). According to the complaint sent to the FTC last Friday (April 20) of the three organizations, the FTC requested that the acquisition of Google be stopped unless they received assurances from Google and DoubleClick about the protection. Personal information of users.

Such assurances include a commitment to remove all cookies and multiple identifiers derived from Internet searches. These are factors that can help authenticate users after the end of a certain session on Google.

Source: brianrose.com These requirements will have a profound impact on many of the services Google provides, which are built to save the user's entire transaction process and search.

Google collects data regarding the habit of searching and surfing the net of millions of network followers, tracking what they see, writing what and even buying something to help advertisers of their respective fields. As for DoubleClick, it monitors users' web surfing activities through attachments in banner ads, then the company gathers and exchanges information with advertisers so that they can spread promotional information. 'winning' product.

According to these three individual freedom groups, the collection of such personal information raises concerns about the privacy of personal information and the FTC Committee needs to consider.

In the report of the three groups submitted to the FTC, there are paragraphs: ' Neither Google nor DoubleClick have taken satisfactory steps in protecting the collected personal data. In addition, Google's acquisition will create worrying concerns with personal freedom issues as well as violations of previously recognized online advertising standards . '

These standards include the principles of protecting individual freedom of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The three organizations also asked the FTC to investigate the impact of the acquisition of DoubleClick on Google's Internet user tracking and activity activities.

They also wanted to expect the FTC to order DoubleClick to remove cookies, as well as individual user authentication elements, from any records delivered to Google. This only need not be done in case the company is allowed to exploit information data, including creating rights for users to check, delete and edit data.

There was also a request for Google to explain before the public how the plan to comply with the OECD-like rules of personal freedom protection requires that the company give reasonable access to data. Personal authentication data as well as policy setting to remove data.

Do Duong