UK consumer advocacy group takes legal action against Google News
UK consumer advocacy group takes legal action against Google

UK consumer activist group Google You Owe Us [advocacy website] initiated [press release] representative legal action Thursday against tech giant Google, alleging that Google illegally mined private information from consumers.

According to Google You Owe Us, the tech giant unlawfully harvested personal information from nearly 5.4 million Apple iPhone users in England and Wales between June 2011 and February 2012 through the consumers’ use of Safari. Google supposedly mined the data by bypassing Safari privacy search settings, known as the “Safari Workaround.” Google earns revenue by sending targeted advertisements to users based on their personal information.

UK law [text] provides that consumers’ private data must be obtained in a manner that respects consumer privacy. Google You Owe Us’ position is that the tech giant violated this law by violating the privacy of its customers.

The case will be heard in the UK High Court.