Google ordered to halt 'abusive' data profiling

Google has been ordered by a local data German Commissioner to overhaul illegal data profiling.

The German commissioner said that Google's data mining and profiling was abusive and needed to be stopped.

According to The Washington Post, the administrative order is bringing to a head the question of whether U.S.-born, ad-driven Web services like Gmail, YouTube and Facebook can peacefully co-exist with a Europe that is enormously sensitive about possible incursions on personal privacy.

A news release from the Hamburg Commissioner of Data Protection and Freedom of Information said that according to the views of the data protection authority, the ongoing practice of user profiling affects the privacy of Google users far beyond the admissible degree.

Critics believe that Google's motive is to use the data to sell targeted advertising.

A Google spokesperson said that the company had engaged fully with the Hamburg Data Protection Authority throughout this process to explain its privacy policy and how it allows the company to create simpler, more effective services.

The spokesperson further said that Google was now studying their order to determine next steps.