Sacre bleu! France's privacy watchdog agency announced today that it is one step closer to fining Google (GOOGL 10.22%) up to $400,000 for failing to disclose data-sharing information.
In its press release, the Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertes noted that the company has failed to properly update European data protection authorities on the purpose and scope of the Google privacy policy first rolled out in March 2012.
To comply with French law, Google will need to make public its reasoning for its new cross-product data-sharing (e.g., syncing YouTube channels with Gmail), as well as details surrounding how long and to what extent data are shared, according to a Wall Street Journal report..
With Google's Friday deadline for compliance officially expired, the commission will now begin a "formal procedure for imposing sanctions."
Google spokesman Al Verney said: "Our privacy policy respects European law and allows us to create simpler, more effective services. We have engaged fully with CNIL throughout this process and will continue to do so going forward."
-- Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.
