Ireland announces inquiry into Google’s processing of location data News
FirmBee / Pixabay
Ireland announces inquiry into Google’s processing of location data

EU regulators in Dublin on Monday announced a statutory inquiry into Google’s processing of location data and transparency surrounding that processing.

Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) released a statement launching their investigation into Google’s Irish subsidiary to determine whether the company meets transparency obligations under the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or has a valid legal basis for processing the location data of its users.

The DPC states that it has received numerous complaints from various Consumer Organizations across the EU.

The issues raised within the concerns relate to the legality of Google’s processing of location data and the transparency surrounding that processing. As such the DPC has commenced an own-volition Statutory Inquiry, with respect to Google Ireland Limited, pursuant to Section 110 of the Data Protection 2018 and in accordance with the co-operation mechanism outlined Article 60 of the GDPR.

The commission is the national independent supervisory authority in Ireland with responsibility for upholding the fundamental right of the individual to have their personal data protected. The DPC’s statutory powers, functions and duties derive from the Data Protection Act 2018, General Data Protection Regulation, Law Enforcement Directive, and the Data Protection Acts 1988 to 2003. The DPC examines data infringement complaints, conducts investigations, and creates and promotes data protection legislation.

The DPC has a total of 23 inquiries into U.S.-based tech companies, including Facebook and Twitter.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Justice Department brings anit-trust action against AT&T

On November 20, 1974, the Department of Justice filed its final anti-trust suit against AT&T. United States v. AT&T was ultimately settled out of court with an agreement that the corporation would break up its monopoly on phone service throughout the country.

Nuremberg war crimes trials began

On November 20, 1945, the war crimes trials of Nazi World War II leaders began in the German city of Nuremberg. Review the Nuremberg Tribunal's Charter and the verdicts and sentences handed down on major war figures.

Winston Churchill born

On November 20, 1874, Sir Winston Churchill was born in Woodstock, England. He would go on to lead the United Kingdom as Prime Minister through World War II. Toward the end of the war, Churchill worked with US President Franklin D. Roosevelt to craft the treaties and accords that have defined the world since WWII. A 2002 poll by the BBC declared Churchill the Greatest Briton of all time.

New Jersey ratifies Bill of Rights

New Jersey ratified the Bill of Rights, a set of 10 fundamental amendments to the US Constitution, on November 20, 1789, becoming the first state to do so. The state also ratified an amendment on federal representation which ultimately failed. Additionally, New Jersey rejected an amendment on congressional salaries, which would eventually become the 27th Amendment more than 200 years later. Read the articles ratified by New Jersey.