Rep. Johnson Concerned About Google Data Sharing Notice

Says it would be better if Google didn't "bury" notice in privacy policy

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 3/13/2013 7:11:20 PM

Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) praised Google's forthright answers to his questions about what data it shares via Google Wallet, but wasn't happy with some of the answers.

Johnson had wanted to know how Google handled data it shared with third party app developers for purchases of apps on goods through Google Play.

Google responded that the first time people used Google Wallet they were informed that some info, name, address, e-mail address, phone number would be shared with third parties in order to process the transaction.

The company said it did not share full credit card info or payment credentials with developers or merchants who use Google Wallet. It also said there were only a handful of complaints about third party misuse of information, which at any rated was a violation of its developer distribution agreement which requires the protection of privacy and confidentiality of info and prohibits the sale or rental of that information.

Johnson said he was concerned that Google provides that first-time notice, rather than "at the time and in the context" of the purchase. "Unlike a broad statement buried in the Wallet Privacy Notice, a contextual approach might also prevent the consumer surprise and public alarm that predicated my letter," he said in a statement.

Johnson launched a mobile privacy initiative, AppRights, through which he has collected consumer info and concerns, like those about Google Wallet's data sharing.