Search engines 'should be more transparent'
22/04/2008 18:03:20
Internet search engines should be clearer about the user information they are storing and why they are doing so, according to one industry expert.
Tony Neate, managing director of Get Safe Online, said that users should be able to know if providers are looking at the information they put online so they can then make a decision about whether to stay with them.
He said: "I think [search engines] could be a bit more transparent on exactly what they've got and what they use it for. As long as they tell you that they're going to be looking at the emails you send and what you're doing then you can make a personal choice."
Mr Neate went on to say that it is not always clear what kind of information search engines have access to and why they may be keeping any data.
An EU report published this month concluded that search engines had no reason to retain personal information for more than six months. It also said that user notification should be increased and that failure to comply could break the law.
