Google to adhere to Belgian privacy laws

Google will comply with Belgium’s laws concerning privacy on the internet, the company agreed during its latest meeting with Willem Debeuckelaere, chair of the Belgian Privacy Commission.

Google has participated in discreet talks with the privacy committees of several European countries for months, and now it’s finally paying off, said Debeuckelaere. "Google wants to adapt to the privacy laws of the various countries, including Belgium. There will be a European scheme set up that complies with all of the national legislations."

The concession means that the internet giant will be much more transparent in its terms of use and privacy information. "Google must now get explicit permission from its users in order to use their data," said Debeuckelaere.

While Belgium’s Google spokesperson, Tineke Meijerman, neither denied nor confirmed the agreement, she did say that Google is already making an effort to be more transparent.