Dutch data protection agencies say Google Analytics could be taken soon

Following yesterday's report that Austria's data protection authorities found that Google Analytics violated GDPR, Dutch data protection group Autoteliteit Persoonsgegevens released a new document warning that Google Analytics could soon be banned following an investigation into the service. The main problem with the service is that the data protection authority collects unnecessary cookies and sends them back to the United States.

The document, titled "Guidelines for Setting Up Privacy-Friendly Google Analytics," has a note on the front, and the message translates roughly as follows:

"Note: The use of Google Analytics may soon be disapproved. Austria's privacy regulator completed a survey of Google Analytics usage in January 2022. According to the Austrian regulator, Google Analytics does not appear to meet the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens is currently investigating two complaints about the use of Google Analytics in the Netherlands. Upon completion of the survey in early 2022, Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens will be able to say whether Google Analytics will be allowed next."

While the GDPR may ban the use of Google Analytics in its current state, Google is likely to simply change the software itself to bring it into compliance with regulatory requirements. The GDPR is a uniform regulation across the EU, so unless Google makes enough changes, it may not end up being available in the EU's 27 countries.