Federal lawmakers question if Google violated FTC agreement

In the wake of evidence that Google circumvented privacy protections on the iPhone, federal lawmakers are asking if the company violated the terms of its broad privacy settlement with the Federal Trade Commission.

The FTC settlement, finalized in October, "bars the company from future privacy misrepresentations," and required Google to implement a comprehensive privacy program. But Reps. Ed Markey (D-M), Joe Barton (R-TX) and Cliff Sterns (R-FL) are asking if Google's apparent end run around software on Apple's Web browser that blocks tracking would constitute a violation of Google's agreement with the FTC. "Google’s practices could have a wide sweeping impact because Safari is a major web browser used by millions of Americans," the lawmakers wrote to the FTC. "As members of the Congressional Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus, we are interested in any actions the FTC has taken or plans to take to investigate whether Google has violated the terms of its consent agreement."