Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
Back to profile145 entries · Page 6 of 8
2021
Russia fines Google for repeated failure to perform its duties
Fine or penalty
Google was fined 3.5 million rubles in Russia for the repeated failure of the search engine operator to perform its duties.
Source excerpt
Google was fined 3.5 million rubles ($47,700) for the repeated failure of the search engine operator to perform its duties.
TikTok and Google, which had both been fined earlier for similar offenses, received smaller fines on May 27.
A Moscow court slapped Google with an unprecedented hefty fine on Friday for repeatedly failing to remove illegal content as Russian authorities pile pressure on foreign tech giants.
2020
Sonos files patent lawsuits against Google
Lawsuit filed
Sonos filed two lawsuits against Google alleging infringement of five patents and seeking financial compensation and an order banning sales of certain Google devices. Google disputes the claims and said it would defend itself.
Stated objective. to prevent Google from unlawfully maintaining monopolies through anticompetitive and exclusionary practices in the search and search advertising markets
Company response
Denial — Google
Google told Gizmodo that it disputes the claims and will “vigorously” defend itself in court.
Ongoing disclosure — Google
Google, which is facing two EC investigations into its advertising practices, said it was cooperating in the probe.
Denial — Google
“We will defend ourselves against these baseless claims,” Google spokesperson José Castañeda told FOX Business in a statement.
Denial — Google
Amid the bombardment of antitrust allegations against Google, the company has issued a couple of statements defending its practices.
Source excerpt
Accusing the tech giant of “blatantly and knowingly” infringing on its technology patents, smart-speaker maker Sonos on Tuesday filed two lawsuits against Google after years’ of quiet talks between the pair apparently fell through.
Google told Gizmodo that it disputes the claims and will “vigorously” defend itself in court.
Sonos has filed complaints in the Central District of California and before the United States International Trade Commission, a quasi-judicial federal agency, over five patents after reportedly warning Google about the alleged infringements repeatedly.
2020
Xiaomi discloses Mijia camera privacy bug
Issue disclosure
Xiaomi disclosed that a bug could cause some overseas Mijia smart cameras connected through Google Home Hub to display camera streams from other Google users' accounts. Xiaomi said 1,044 people were affected, that the issue had been fixed with Google, and that the feature would return after joint testing.
Company response
Investigation — 小米
经过小米调查，该产品联动Google Home Hub开发的功能产生的BUG在弱网环境下会有小概率出现
Remediation — 小米
小米安全中心已与Google一同沟通并修复了相关Bug
Source excerpt
目前有1044人受到影响
会有一定概率出现接收其他Google用户账号下的摄像头串流画面的Bug。
1月3日，小米针对米家智能摄像机海外版暂时下线连接Google Home Hub功能进行说明。
2020
House Judiciary Committee questions tech CEOs in market-power investigation
Investigation
The House Judiciary Committee questioned the CEOs of Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google at a hearing held as part of an investigation into their companies' potential anticompetitive behavior. The hearing placed the four technology companies and their chief executives under congressional scrutiny within that investigation. The source describes the proceeding as a congressional hearing over anticompetitive behavior, with the committee directing questions to the CEOs as part of its market-power inquiry.
Source excerpt
On Wednesday, lawmakers questioned four tech CEOs about the market power of their companies. The nearly six-hour hearing was conducted by the House Judiciary Committee as part of an investigation into the potential anticompetitive behavior of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google.
2020
New Mexico sued Google over children’s data collection
Lawsuit filed
New Mexico’s attorney general sued Google, alleging that the company illegally collected children’s personal data through Google Education and misled schools and teachers about the service’s privacy practices. The allegations are claims made in the lawsuit and not a court determination. Google denied the allegations, calling the claims factually wrong.
Company response
Denial — Google
Google dismissed the claims as “factually wrong,” saying the G Suite for Education package allows schools to control account access and requires that schools obtain parental consent when necessary.
Source excerpt
The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque claims Google is using its education services package that is marketed to school districts, teachers and parents as a way to spy on children and their families.
New Mexico’s attorney general sued Google Thursday over allegations the tech company is illegally collecting personal data generated by children in violation of federal and state laws.
In the lawsuit filed Thursday, New Mexico accuses Google of misleading schools and teachers in its marketing materials about the service, saying in part that the materials don’t properly disclose that the service monitors students’ web browsing activities.
2020
Complaint filed against YouTube and Google over violent videos
Issue disclosure
Andy Parker and Georgetown University Law Center's Civil Rights Clinic filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission against YouTube and Google. The complaint alleged deceptive practices related to the platforms hosting violent murder videos and conspiracy theories that harass and target families.
Source excerpt
Parker along with Georgetown University Law Center’s Civil Rights Clinic filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission Thursday against YouTube and Google for deceptive practices on its platform.
2020
Google discloses Google Photos video exposure
Issue disclosure
Google disclosed that a technical issue with Google Takeout caused some users who exported Google Photos data between November 21 and November 25, 2019, to receive videos that were not theirs. Google stated that it fixed the issue and apologized. The disclosure concerned the unintended delivery of videos to users other than their owners during the export process.
Google said a technical issue with Google Takeout caused some users who exported Google Photos data between November 21 and November 25, 2019, to receive videos that were not theirs. Google said it fixed the issue and apologized.
Company response
Remediation — Google
We fixed the underlying issue
Apology — Google
The search and advertising giant has since apologized.
Ongoing disclosure — Google
We are notifying people about a bug that may have affected users who used Google Takeout to export their Google Photos content between November 21 and November 25
Source excerpt
Google has admitted that a small percentage of their Google Photos users had their private videos sent to the accounts of complete strangers by Google themselves.
The issue was fixed within five days, and less than 0.01 per cent of users who used the Takeout Service were affected
A technical issue, as Google states, is what was affecting their Takeout Service, which lets people download their Google Photos data, and caused the unplanned sharing of the videos between 21 November and 25 November last year
2020
Irish regulator investigates Google location-data processing
Investigation
Ireland's Data Protection Commission opened an investigation into Google's handling of users' location data. The inquiry examines whether Google has a legal basis for processing this data and whether it meets transparency obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The investigation concerns Google's location-data processing practices and the regulator's review of compliance with GDPR requirements on lawful basis and transparency.
Ireland’s Data Protection Commission opened an investigation into Google’s handling of users’ location data, including whether it has a legal basis for processing it and meets transparency obligations under GDPR.
Company response
Clarification — Google
Google “will co-operate fully with the office of the Data Protection Commission in its inquiry, and continue to work closely with regulators and consumer associations across Europe,” the company said in a statement.
Source excerpt
The commission opened an investigation into Google’s Irish subsidiary to determine whether the U.S. search giant “has a legal basis for processing the location data of its users” and whether it meets transparency obligations under the EU’s strict General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR.
Google stressed that it hasn't made any changes yet and it's collaborating with the industry to come up with the best solution.
The Competition and Markets Authority said it opened a formal investigation into Google's proposals to remove so-called third-party cookies from its popular Chrome browser and Chromium browser engine.
2020
Swedish watchdog fines Google for GDPR non-compliance
Fine or penalty
In a controversy noted in Google's brand history, Sweden's Data Protection Authority fined Google 75 million Swedish Kroner for failure to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The penalty was reported as a GDPR non-compliance action brought by the Swedish watchdog. The event is recorded as a regulatory fine imposed on Google in Sweden, with the stated amount of 75 million Swedish Kroner and the cited reason of non-compliance with the GDPR.
Sweden’s Data Protection Authority fined Google 75 million Swedish Kroner for failure to comply with the GDPR.
Source excerpt
Sweden’s Data Protection Authority has fined internet giant Google 75 million Swedish Kroner (U.S. $7.6 million) for its failure to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
7月13日，据彭博社报道，Google将被法国处以5.93亿美元的罚款，因为Google未能遵守一项命令，即与出版商就在其平台上使用出版商新闻内容达成公平协议。
Google now intends to appeal the said KFTC decision, reports noted.
2020
Ubisoft sues Apple and Google over Area F2
Lawsuit filed
Ubisoft sued Apple and Google in federal court in Los Angeles, seeking to force the two companies to remove Area F2 from their platforms. Ubisoft alleged that the game copied virtually every aspect of Rainbow Six: Siege. The dispute centered on the game's availability through the companies' platforms, with Ubisoft pursuing removal of the title.
Stated objective. Force Apple and Google to remove Area F2 from their platforms.
Source excerpt
Ubisoft has now sued both companies in the federal court at Los Angeles and will try to force them to remove the game from their platforms.
"Virtually every aspect of AF2 is copied from R6S, from the operator selection screen to the final scoring screen, and everything in between."
Since the companies aren't taking the game down, it decided to take legal action against them.
2020
BEUC warns of potential consumer and innovation harms from Google-Fitbit deal
Issue disclosure
The European consumer organisation BEUC stated that Google's acquisition of Fitbit could harm consumer interests and hinder innovation. BEUC warned that access to Fitbit user health data could allow Google to use the data for its own benefit and weaken other companies' ability to offer products. Google said it would not sell personal information and that Fitbit health data would not be used for Google advertising.
European consumer organisation BEUC said that Google's acquisition of Fitbit could harm consumer interests and hinder innovation. BEUC warned that access to Fitbit user health data could allow Google to use the data for its own benefit and weaken other companies' ability to offer products. Google said it would not sell personal information and that Fitbit health data would not be used for Google advertising.
Stated objective. Ensure Google’s control of the data does not distort market competition.
Company response
Clarification — Google
谷歌表示：“我们永远不会向任何人出售个人信息，Fitbit的健康数据也不会用于谷歌广告。我们会上Fitbit的用户拥有自由选择查看、移动或删除他们私人数据的权力。”
Clarification — Google
對此，Google發言人表示，這次收購的重點不在於獲取用戶數據，而是Google想要提升裝置方面的技術，Google不會利用Fitbit的用戶資料獲取廣告收入或增強資料庫。
Source excerpt
谷歌表示：“我们永远不会向任何人出售个人信息，Fitbit的健康数据也不会用于谷歌广告。我们会上Fitbit的用户拥有自由选择查看、移动或删除他们私人数据的权力。”
欧洲消费者组织BEUC于周三表示， 谷歌斥资21亿美元收购健身追踪器公司Fitbit可能会损害消费者利益、同时阻碍创新。此外，BEUC称这笔交易改变了数字健康市场的游戏规则。
BEUC在一份报告中称：“如果谷歌获得了那些使用Fitbit可穿戴设备产生的消费者数据，包括现在与COVID-19相关的数据，它就能够利用这些数据为自身谋取利益、同时削弱其他公司向消费者推出新产品的能力。
2020
Researchers report spyware in Chrome extensions and exposure of user information
Issue disclosure
Awake Security researchers said they found spyware in Chrome extensions that had been downloaded 32 million times. According to the report, the spyware could contact websites and transmit user information when ordinary users used the affected browser on home computers. Google said that after researchers alerted it the previous month, it removed more than 70 extensions containing the malware from the Chrome Web Store.
Company response
Remediation — 谷歌
在上个月接到了研究人员的提醒之后，他们已经从Chrome Web Store中移除了超过70个存在此恶意软件的扩展程序。
Remediation — Google
谷歌表示，上个月收到研究人员的警告后，已从谷歌网上应用商店中删除了70多个恶意加载项。
Source excerpt
北京时间6月18日下午消息，据外媒报道，Awake Security的研究人员表示，他们在谷歌的Chrome浏览器的扩展程序中发现了一个间谍软件，含有这个间谍软件的扩展程序已经被下载了3200万次。
研究人员发现，如果有普通用户在家用电脑上使用带有恶意软件的浏览器，它会联系多个网站，然后传输用户信息。
Alphabet旗下的谷歌表示，在上个月接到了研究人员的提醒之后，他们已经从Chrome Web Store中移除了超过70个存在此恶意软件的扩展程序。
2020
Court sentences Anthony Levandowski for stealing Google trade secrets
Ruling
A U.S. federal court sentenced Anthony Levandowski to 18 months in prison for stealing Google trade secrets. The court also imposed a $95,000 fine and ordered him to compensate Waymo $756,000. The case concerned the theft of Google trade secrets, and the sentence combined imprisonment, a fine, and a compensation order in favor of Waymo.
Source excerpt
本周三8月5日，美国加州北区地方法院下达判决。勒万多斯基犯下一项盗窃谷歌商业机密的罪行，将被判处18个月监禁，缴纳9.5万美元罚款，并赔偿原谷歌无人车业务新成立的 Waymo 公司75.6万美元。
2020
Australian regulator sues Google over personal-data use
Lawsuit filed
In 2020, Australia's competition regulator launched court proceedings against Google, alleging that the company failed to tell consumers about its expanded use of personal data for targeted advertising. According to the regulator's case, Google did not explicitly obtain consent or properly inform consumers about combining Google account information with activity on non-Google websites that use its technology. The proceedings concerned the alleged lack of disclosure to consumers regarding this data use.
Source excerpt
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission or ACCC filed a suit against Google LLC for allegedly misleading Australian consumers by collecting their personal data without proper consent mainly for targeted advertising.
Australian regulator sues Google for misleading about personal data use
In a statement, the Australian regulatory commission said it has launched Federal Court proceedings against Google.
2020
Steve Wozniak and other plaintiffs sue Google over YouTube bitcoin scam
Lawsuit filed
Steve Wozniak and 17 other alleged victims filed suit against Google over a YouTube scam that allegedly used Wozniak's name and likeness to solicit cryptocurrency. The plaintiffs said YouTube and Google repeatedly ignored requests to take down the scam video; the allegations are not a court determination.
Source excerpt
Steve Wozniak, Apple co-founder and tech entrepreneur, filed a lawsuit against Google on Wednesday over a YouTube scam that allegedly used his name and likeness to convince viewers to send cryptocurrency during a fake bitcoin giveaway event.
Wozniak filed the suit with 17 other alleged victims saying that YouTube and Google repeatedly ignored requests to take down the scam video.
The suit also represents 17 alleged victims of the bitcoin scam
2020
Richman Technology sues Google and Samsung over security-system patents
Lawsuit filed
Richman Technology filed complaints against Google and Samsung in the Western District of Texas, alleging that their security-system features and functionality infringed its patents. The allegations are not reported as adjudicated.
Company response
Denial — 谷歌
我们的技术和设备都是独立设计的。我们坚决否认他们的说法，并将辩护对抗他们。
Source excerpt
Richman Technology filed complaints on Tuesday in the Western District of Texas against Google and Samsung for patent infringement, alleging that the defendants participated in infringement through their security systems’ features and functionality.
据外媒theVerge报道，Sonos对谷歌提起了另一项专利诉讼，该公司指控这家搜索巨头侵犯了Nest和Chromecast整个系列产品的5项无线音频专利。
我们的技术和设备都是独立设计的。我们坚决否认他们的说法，并将辩护对抗他们。
2020
Epic files antitrust suits against Apple and Google
Lawsuit filed
Epic Games filed antitrust lawsuits against Apple and Google after both companies removed the game Fortnite from their app stores. The dispute centered on the removal of the game from the stores, and the lawsuits were filed in response to that action. The event was reported on August 13, 2020.
Company response
Denial — Google
In a blog post, Google criticized the lawsuit as "meritless" and ignoring options the company's Android phones provided.
Source excerpt
Epic Games on Wednesday expanded its worldwide legal fight against the dominant mobile app store operators with a new legal claim against Google in Australia. The claim accuses Google of “anti-competitive conduct breaches the Australian Consumer Law” and also accuses the search giant of violating the country’s Competition and Consumer Act of 2010.
According to Google's lawsuit, that constituted a breach of contract since Epic Games wasn't paying the 30% revenue cut it contractually owed Google.
The tech giant claims that Epic Games was "unjustly enriched" at its expense and is seeking compensation for how much it lost during that period.
2020
Google CEO addresses settlement with employees
Company response
In September 2020, Google CEO Sundar Pichai addressed a shareholder lawsuit settlement in an email to employees. According to the report, Pichai said he was committed to workplace standards and to supporting people who report misconduct. The statement was made in the context of the settlement of the shareholder lawsuit. The email communicated the CEO's stated commitment to workplace standards and to those who report misconduct.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai addressed the shareholder lawsuit settlement in an email to employees, saying he was committed to workplace standards and supporting people who report misconduct.
Company response
Clarification — Google
In an email sent to employees on Friday, Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai addressed news that the company had settled a shareholder lawsuit over allegations that the company's board mishandled sexual misconduct.
Remediation — Alphabet
The company will eliminate mandatory arbitration and limit Google's use of non-disclosure agreements while prohibiting Google from "providing severance to any employee, including a senior executive, terminated for sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, or retaliation."
Source excerpt
In an email sent to employees on Friday, Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai addressed news that the company had settled a shareholder lawsuit over allegations that the company's board mishandled sexual misconduct.
The settlement requires Alphabet to amend its leadership charters for its Leadership Development and Compensation Committee â the committee that approved payouts to former Google executives Andy Rubin and Amit Singhal â to oversee data regarding reports and resolutions of claims of sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation.
Alphabet has reached a settlement with shareholders in a lawsuit alleging sexual misconduct mishandling and cover-up by executives, including former chief legal officer David Drummond.
2020
Moscow court fines Google for content-filtering failure
Fine or penalty
A Moscow magistrate court fined Google 1.5 million rubles for repeated failure to meet its obligation to filter content banned in Russia. The court found the company guilty of repeated failure to perform search engine operator obligations. The ruling addressed the company's non-compliance with content-filtering requirements under Russian law.
Source excerpt
A court circuit magistrate in the Tagansky district of Moscow has found Google LLC guilty of committing an administrative offence and sentenced it to an administrative fine of 1.5 million rubles,
A magistrates' court in Moscow has imposed a fine of 1.5 million rubles on Google LLC for a repeated violation related to the search engine's insufficient filtering of content banned in Russia.
A magistrate court on Monday fined Google 1.5 million rubles ($20,300) for repeated violation of the obligationton to filter content banned in Russia, RAPSI was told in Moscow’s Tagansky District Court.
2020
Class action filed against Google over alleged privacy violations
Lawsuit filed
A class action lawsuit was filed against Google, with plaintiffs alleging that the company continued to access users' private information despite their privacy settings and opt-outs. The claims are allegations; the source did not report a court determination on the matter. The event was reported in July 2020.
Plaintiffs filed a class action lawsuit against Google, alleging that it continued to access users' private information despite their privacy settings and opt-outs. These are allegations, not a reported court determination.
Company response
Clarification — Google
“As we clearly state each time you open a new incognito tab, websites might be able to collect information about your browsing activity,” he said.
Source excerpt
(Source: Case 3:20-cv-04688 Document 1 Filed 07/14/20 Page 3 of 42)
A class action lawsuit was filed against Google alleging that the tech giant has been violating its user’s privacy – even if that user has previously opted out.
the lawsuit, filed in a US district court in San Jose on Tuesday against the tech giant and its parent firm, Alphabet.