European Union To Question Data Retention Policies Of Other Search Engines

EU data protection group questions other search engines from InfoWorld reports that the European Union will expand their investigation beyond just Google and investigate other search engine providers data retention policies.

Danny is quoted in the article, explaining that it makes sense for the EU to look at other search engines, and not just Google.

Both Google and Yahoo have 30-year cookies. So where’s the letter for Yahoo from the Working Group? And isn’t 14 years from Microsoft excessive?”

Microsoft and Yahoo both issued statements:

“Microsoft has a long-term commitment to providing customers with control over the collection, use and disclosure of their personal information. While we have not received formal communication from the Article 29 Working Party, we recognize that online search is creating legitimate concerns about privacy and are actively engaged with data protection authorities around the world to ensure that our practices meet the highest standards when it comes to protecting privacy,” Microsoft said in a statement.

“Our users’ trust is one of Yahoo’s most valuable assets. That’s why maintaining that trust and protecting our users’ privacy is paramount to us. Our data retention practices vary according to the diverse nature of our services,” Yahoo said.

Postscript From Danny: Back on June 12, I asked Microsoft and Yahoo these questions:

1) How long do you retain server log data?

2) Does that log data contains search terms in it?

3) How long do you maintains account data that may be associated with someone’s search history?

Both companies responded that the questions had been received, but answers have yet to come.