EU users can choose which Google services are allowed to exchange personal data

Google now lets EU users determine whether the company’s services can exchange their personal data. This currently happens as standard, but the Digital Markets Act will automatically disconnect them from March 6.

Currently, all Google services are linked, which means that user data from one Google service, for example YouTube, is automatically shared with other services of the company, such as Google Search, Chrome, Maps and its advertising services for personalized advertising. This includes searches, videos watched and apps downloaded. Google is going to offer its services However, from March 6, disconnect by default for EU users. From the same day, Google must comply with the requirements of the Digital Markets Act. If users want some or all services to exchange their personal data, they must actively give permission for this. They can already do this now, so that the services will remain linked from March 6.

Google warns that certain features of unconnected services may not work or may only work partially. For example, the recommendations on Google Search, YouTube and Chrome are less personalized, and if a user has placed a reservation via Google Search, it will no longer appear in Maps.

Google also states that some user data will still be shared for ‘certain purposes’. The tech giant mentions preventing fraud, protecting against spam and abuse and ‘complying with the law’. The user data involved is not mentioned. The company also continues to share data if it is necessary for a task. As an example, when users make a purchase via Google Play, information must be shared with Google Payments in order to complete the purchase. The data is also still shared with external parties.

Google has been designated as a ‘gatekeeper’ under the Digital Markets Act and must therefore meet various requirements. Broadly speaking, the DMA should lead to large platforms of these gatekeepers becoming more ‘open’, for example by making them more interoperable and giving users freedom of choice of apps and services.

Update, 3:25 p.m: An earlier version of the article reported that Google will give users the choice to disconnect its services. That is not true; the services are disconnected by default, but if users want to keep them connected, they must actively choose to do so. The article has been adjusted accordingly.