FTC settles charges that Google deceived consumers with the launch of the Buzz Social Network in 2010 | Practical Law

FTC settles charges that Google deceived consumers with the launch of the Buzz Social Network in 2010 | Practical Law

On 30 March 2011, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it has resolved charges alleging that Google Inc. (Google) used deceptive tactics and violated privacy promises to consumers with the 2010 launch of Buzz, a social network that operates within Gmail, Google's e-mail service. The FTC's administrative complaint, filed the same day, marked the first time that the FTC has alleged substantive violations of the privacy principles of the US-EU Safe Harbour Framework (Safe Harbour). The FTC also alleged violations of Section 5(a) of the FTC Act. In the proposed consent agreement, Google agreed to establish and maintain a comprehensive privacy programme and obtain user consent before sharing any information with third parties in a manner contrary to any privacy obligations Google made to users when it collected the information.

FTC settles charges that Google deceived consumers with the launch of the Buzz Social Network in 2010

by Practical Law
Law stated as at 30 Mar 2011 • USA (National/Federal)
On 30 March 2011, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it has resolved charges alleging that Google Inc. (Google) used deceptive tactics and violated privacy promises to consumers with the 2010 launch of Buzz, a social network that operates within Gmail, Google's e-mail service. The FTC's administrative complaint, filed the same day, marked the first time that the FTC has alleged substantive violations of the privacy principles of the US-EU Safe Harbour Framework (Safe Harbour). The FTC also alleged violations of Section 5(a) of the FTC Act. In the proposed consent agreement, Google agreed to establish and maintain a comprehensive privacy programme and obtain user consent before sharing any information with third parties in a manner contrary to any privacy obligations Google made to users when it collected the information.