What is Google Analytics and why should you not use it in Europe?
Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2025 8:16 am
Google Analytics, a free web statistics service provided by Google . It is a very popular tool that measures website traffic and tracks user behavior.
The illegitimacy of Google Analytics (in particular of Google Analytics 3, the object of analysis) would derive from the fact that the tool transfers user data to the United States which, in terms of privacy, is governed by a different legal regime than the iceland phone number list European one (the Privacy Shield) which does not guarantee a level of protection such as that which exists within the European Union thanks to the GDPR.
Read also: “ Privacy Policy and website. Good practices and useful tips to comply with GDPR ”
Google Analytics Not GDPR Compliant. Whose Responsibility?
At present, according to the authority, it is not possible to use Google Analytics while ensuring compliance with the GDPR and the responsibility lies with the website manager , not Google.
The intervention of the Guarantor, in fact, is aimed at the managers of the sites: the responsibility of relying on tools deemed not compliant with current regulations is theirs and not the Mountain View giant.
In its press release, the Guarantor states that: “The Authority takes this opportunity to draw the attention of all Italian managers of websites, both public and private, to the unlawfulness of transfers made to the United States through GA, also in light of the numerous reports and questions that are reaching the Office. And it invites all data controllers to verify the conformity of the methods of use of cookies and other tracking tools used on their websites, with particular attention to Google Analytics and other similar services, with the legislation on the protection of personal data.”
The illegitimacy of Google Analytics (in particular of Google Analytics 3, the object of analysis) would derive from the fact that the tool transfers user data to the United States which, in terms of privacy, is governed by a different legal regime than the iceland phone number list European one (the Privacy Shield) which does not guarantee a level of protection such as that which exists within the European Union thanks to the GDPR.
Read also: “ Privacy Policy and website. Good practices and useful tips to comply with GDPR ”
Google Analytics Not GDPR Compliant. Whose Responsibility?
At present, according to the authority, it is not possible to use Google Analytics while ensuring compliance with the GDPR and the responsibility lies with the website manager , not Google.
The intervention of the Guarantor, in fact, is aimed at the managers of the sites: the responsibility of relying on tools deemed not compliant with current regulations is theirs and not the Mountain View giant.
In its press release, the Guarantor states that: “The Authority takes this opportunity to draw the attention of all Italian managers of websites, both public and private, to the unlawfulness of transfers made to the United States through GA, also in light of the numerous reports and questions that are reaching the Office. And it invites all data controllers to verify the conformity of the methods of use of cookies and other tracking tools used on their websites, with particular attention to Google Analytics and other similar services, with the legislation on the protection of personal data.”