Italy closes Google probe over unfair use of personal data

The Italian Competition Authority said it has closed with commitments its investigation launched in July 2024 into Google’s request for consent to “linking” user activity across its services.As a result of the Authority’s intervention, Google will change its consent request by providing clearer and more accurate information on the implications of consent for the use of personal data, as well as on the range and volume of Google’s services — including AI services, such as Gemini — where consent may involve the “combination” and “cross-use” of personal data. The company will also offer clearer and more accurate information on how users can tailor – and thus also limit – their consent by choosing to grant it only for certain services, and clarify that when the services are not linked, the vast majority of features will remain unaffected. Moreover, Google will send a personal notice to all Italian users who will already have expressed a preference by the time the new consent request is released, summarizing their choice and drawing their attention to the information contained in the new consent request.