Google reaches data privacy deal with UK

Google has signed an agreement with the United Kingdom’s information commissioner to update its privacy policy.

The regulator on Friday said that it had concluded that Google’s old privacy policy, written in March of 2012, was too vague about how and why the search engine giant was collecting people’s data. The new one will remedy those failings and be in compliance with the U.K.’s landmark 1998 Data Protection Act.

{mosads}“Google’s commitment today to make these necessary changes will improve the information U.K. consumers receive when using their online services and products,” agency enforcement chief Steve Eckersley said in a statement. 

“It is vital that there is clear and effective information available to enable users to understand the implications of their data being combined,” he added. “The detailed agreement Google has signed setting out its commitments will ensure that.”

A new privacy policy must be in effect by the end of June. Google will also be subject to other obligations over the next two years.

Though the old policy did not comply with the law, it never led to significant “damage” or “distress,” the regulator maintained.

Google and other U.S. tech companies have repeatedly run into trouble in Europe, both for their handling of data as well as for antitrust issues. Among other steps, European Union lawmakers have considered breaking up Google to separate its search engine services from its email, document storage and other functions.