2 min

In response to a Dutch data protection assessment, details of how Google handles customer data have come to light. Google Workspace was launched in October and is an enterprise suite for apps like Sheets, Drive, Gmail, and Meet.

The software can be used by businesses adopting the work-from-home dynamic or hybrid models of work.

The Dutch data protection agency published a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) recently, showing the comparisons between data handling in Google Workspace. The DPIA detailed ten original ‘risk’ factors to government agencies adopting Google Workspace for government functions.

Issues highlighted

Some of the issues cited include a lack of transparency on what is behind the processing of both the customer and diagnostic data, some legal grey areas concerning the tech giant and government agencies involved in data control and processing.

There were more issues like privacy-unfriendly default settings and some potential spill-overs between one-account users in enterprise and personal settings.

Google Cloud’s VP of EMEA South, Samuel Bonamigo, said on Monday that in response to the DPIA and a different assessment of the Google Workspace for Education, delivered by the Dutch government, the search engine giant welcomes the opportunity to demonstrate that it cares about privacy and security.

Google responds

Google is now in discussions with the Dutch government over the concerns raised. However, it wants to emphasize that it has done a lot to make Workspace solutions secure, and protect the privacy of customers’ data.

Google says that user or service data is not used for targeted ads or the creation of ad profiles. There are no ads shown in Workspace and Workspace for Education Core Services. However, the mentioned versions are premium. The company says it is committed to making Workspace more secure.