Eu regulators could toughen restrictions on search data storage

The Article 29 Working Party has expressed concerns that data from searches and cooky could possibly be used to build up detailed user profiles, and violate privacy laws. The workings Party's 64th meeting will take place in bruxelles this approach Monday and Tues.

In response to unfavorable judgment from Article 29 last June, Google has already agreed to limit the amount of time it keeps worldwide users' hunt data to 18 calendar month. Microsoft vowed to match that, while Yahoo has decided to cut its keeping to 13 calendar month.

With growth concern surrounding online privateness, however, it appears that a grant of 18 calendar month may not be sufficiency to satisfy European legislators or users. In a study published last June, U.K. Group privateness International singled out Google, stating that there were "lack and ill will in Google's approach to privateness that go well beyond those of other organisation."

Although recent reports have suggested Google would garbage to limit its storage period to anything less than an 18 calendar month, Google's Policy Communications director for Europe, the center East and Asia, Jon Steinback told ClickZ News, "We never said [18 calendar month] was our final offer."

"We've put a lot of idea into it, and came to the decision that 18 calendar month represents the right balance between user privateness, and maintaining the security and invention of our underlying systems."

Steinback continued, "We don't see it as a dialogue. Eighteen calendar month is just a balance that we feel comfortable with."

There has been recent speculation that the Article 29 Working Party would now move on to investigate issues of privateness in relation to targeted online ad. However, an electronic mail to ClickZ News from an Article 29 press officer this week stated, "The issue of targeted advertising is not, as far as we know, on the agenda or work program of the 29 Working Party."