Responding to the latest privacy concerns surrounding Google, a spokesman for the U.S. based search engine operator said the company has users' permission to collect data. "We are exploring how much consumers know about the use of location data and are working closely with the Privacy Commissioner." Transferring that information to Google means using up gigabytes of data that consumers have paid for under data packages purchased from local telecom service providers, according to the Oracle report. Data privacy advocates said many consumers are unlikely to understand what they agreed to when signing up to use a smartphone. Earlier this year, social media giant Facebook Inc apologised after web marketing firm Cambridge Analytica was accused of obtaining users' data without permission for the 2016 election campaign of United States President Donald Trump.

Source: Economic Times May 15, 2018 04:07 UTC