Is Google Tracking Illegal?
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has been in effect since 2018, and it has been a major source of debate for companies and individuals who use Google Analytics. With the GDPR, companies are now required to protect the personal data of EU citizens, and this includes data collected by Google Analytics. This has raised the question of whether or not Google tracking is illegal.
The answer to this question is not a simple yes or no. It depends on the context and the country in which the data is being collected. If a company is based in the EU, then they must comply with the GDPR and any other applicable laws. This means that they must ensure that any data collected is done so in a way that is compliant with the GDPR. This includes taking steps to ensure that any data collected is not transmitted outside of the EU.
If a company is based outside of the EU, then they must also comply with the GDPR if they are collecting data from EU citizens. This means that they must take steps to ensure that any data collected is not transmitted outside of the EU.
In either case, if a company is found to be in violation of the GDPR, then they could face fines and other penalties. This is why it is important for companies to ensure that they are compliant with the GDPR when using Google Analytics.
The safest solution for companies that want to use Google Analytics is to use an analytics provider that keeps data on their own infrastructure. This way, the data is not transmitted outside of the EU, and the company can be sure that they are compliant with the GDPR.
In conclusion, whether or not Google tracking is illegal depends on the context and the country in which the data is being collected. Companies must ensure that they are compliant with the GDPR if they are collecting data from EU citizens, and the safest solution is to use an analytics provider that keeps data on their own infrastructure.