Google fined $1.32 million for breach of privacy: Implications for your privacy compliance program

A recent European Union Court decision signals "the right to be forgotten" is gaining momentum. The Court fined Google 900,000 Euros (A$1.32 million) and ordered links to outdated newspaper articles be removed from search results on the basis the links were a breach of privacy. The decision has ramifications for search engines, online publishers and media outlets in the EU, as well as for Australian organisations with EU operations. In Australia, the decision highlights the tension between the right of individuals to protect the privacy of their personal information and the realities of privacy in the digital era.

IT ALL BEGAN WITH A GOOGLE SELF - SEARCH

As many people do, Spaniard Mario Costeja Gonzalez conducted a Google search of his own name. The results included links to two unfavourable La Vanguardia newspaper articles about him from 1998.