The Brave Browser which was developed by the co-founder of Mozilla, Brendan Eich filed a privacy complaint in Britain and Ireland against Google, as reported by Reuters on September 13. Brave is a well-known open-source browser powered by blockchain which blocks ads and other website trackers. This browser was specially designed in order to improve the privacy of personal data while sharing it with the advertising customers, thus targeting the online ads by determining the unknown user browsing experience.
The complaint states that Google along with its advertising technology industry performs large-scale and well-planned breaches of data protection authority such that it used to publish its personalized web advertisements. Further, the complaint states that when a user visits a website, about hundreds of other companies receive personal data while placing the ads without any awareness about this to the users.
Thus, plaintiffs are looking for an increase in provisions in European GDPR, which may need European Union investigation for the data collecting practices made by Google. The GDPR was developed in order to ensure the users with providing greater control over their personal information and address the export of their personal data away from the Union, says Johnny Ryan, chief policy official of Brave told Reuters.
Google argues on the complaint of violating the sharing of personal data as required by GDPR. It says that Google uses strong protection by consulting the regulators of the EU while complying with regulations. Brave Browser has partnered with Dow Jones Group in order to test blockchain technology using digital advertising in which the users have to earn BAT by getting engaged with the ad content by verified publishers. Brave wants to eliminate such middlemen from the advertisement industry by reconnecting the funds coming from gross payments which are chopped by many middlemen in between.
Brave Browser, which is used for blockchain, has filed privacy complaints against Google. In March 2020, Brave filed a formal complaint against Google with the Irish Data Protection Commission, alleging that Google is violating the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by sharing user data collected by dozens of its distinct services, creating a “free for all” data warehouse.
Brave also filed a complaint with the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in May 2020, alleging that Google is violating the UK’s Data Protection Act 2018 by engaging in similar data-sharing practices.
Brave’s complaints allege that Google is violating the GDPR’s “purpose limitation” principle, which states that personal data can only be collected and used for the specific purposes for which it was collected. Brave argues that Google is not respecting this principle by sharing user data collected for one purpose (e.g., to provide search results) with other Google services for other purposes (e.g., to target ads).
Google has denied the allegations, and the complaints are still pending. However, if Brave is successful, it could have a significant impact on Google’s business practices.
In addition to filing privacy complaints against Google, Brave has also taken steps to improve its own privacy protections. For example, Brave blocks third-party cookies by default, and it offers a feature called “Brave Rewards” that allows users to earn BAT (Basic Attention Token) cryptocurrency for viewing ads.
Brave’s privacy-focused approach has made it a popular choice for users who are concerned about their online privacy. In 2021, Brave was the third most popular desktop browser in the world, with a market share of 3.9%.
It remains to be seen whether Brave’s privacy complaints against Google will be successful. However, the complaints have already raised awareness of the issue of data privacy, and they could have a lasting impact on Google’s business practices.