MarketingVOX: The first official request to block the acquisition of DoubleClick by Google has been filed by a consumer advocacy group, reports The Seattle Times.
The Electronic Privacy Information Center filed the complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. The group alleges that the two entities collect vast amounts of personal information on internet users but do not protect that data strongly enough. Putting that much personal information into one set of hands would be a danger to users’ privacy.
Google has said it has, can and will vigorously protect users’ private data and says that such protection is essential to its continued success. DoubleClick says Google will not have access to the information on those who view its ads.
Two other groups, the Center for Digital Democracy and the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, have joined EPIC in the complaint to the FTC. They would like changes to be made to Google’s privacy policy before the merger is approved. The FTC has not said whether or not it will begin an investigation.
Related stories:
- 24/7 Uses Google/DoubleClick Conflict to Gin Business
- DoubleClick Snatched – Others Could Be Next
- Google’s $3.1B DoubleClick Acquisition to Create Online Advertising Behemoth
- Google/DoubleClick Deal Draws Ire of Other Major Players
- DoubleClick Announces Online Ad Marketplace
