Google in trouble in Spain over privacy policy

MADRID, SPAIN: The Spanish Data Protection Agency, or AEPD, said on Thursday that it has opened sanction proceedings against Google over its new privacy policy after verifying several infractions by the firm.

The proceedings began as a result of indications that Google failed to be clear about what it does with user data, may be processing a "disproportionate" amount of such data and holding onto it for an "undetermined or unjustified" period of time, AEPD said.

The launching of the sanction proceedings comes after investigations revealed the possible commission of six infractions - five of them serious and one minor - of the Data Protection Law.

The world's No. 1 search engine, meanwhile, said in a statement that its privacy policy "respects European law" and allows it to create "more effective" services. "We're completely committed to the authorities linked to this process and we will continue to be," Google said.

Google Spain and Google Inc., if the five serious infractions are confirmed, would face a fine of between 40,001 euros ($52,932) and 300,000 euros (about $397,000) and between 900 euros ($1,191) and 40,001 euros ($52,932, respectively.

In April, the AEPD agreed to begin this investigation within the framework of a coordinated action with the data protection authorities in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy and Britain. Google modified its privacy policy and the conditions of use for a majority of its services in March 2012.