Privacy

Google settles FTC case involving Google Buzz

Published: Mar. 30, 2011

Updated: Oct. 06, 2020

Today, Google Inc. has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it used deceptive tactics and violated its own privacy promises to consumers when it launched its social network, Google Buzz, in 2010. A copy of the FTC press release can be found here.    According to the FTC, this settlement is unique in two respects, it marks the first time an FTC settlement order has required a company to implement a comprehensive privacy program to protect the privacy of consumers’ information and it also involves the first allegations that a company has violated the substantive privacy requirements of the U.S.-EU Safe Harbor Framework.  This likely indicates that the FTC will be seeking the implementation of comprehensive privacy programs in future settlements.