By Claire Davenport - Tue Feb 19, 2013 - Reuters
* Case is "test" of draft privacy rulesBRUSSELS, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Google's latest privacy policy could land it with a fine of upto $1 billion under a new law allowing Europe-wide challenges to U.S.-based Internet giants, Europe's top justice official said on Tuesday.
Viviane Reding, the European Union's commissioner for justice, said rules being finalised by the European parliament and EU countries would allow a single EU data regulator to fine companies on behalf of all national watchdogs.
"The one-stop-shop regulator could threaten a company which does not obey the rules with a fine of up to
two percent of global turnover," Reding told journalists.
Asked what kind of offence would receive the full two percent fine Reding pointed to Google. "The test case (Google) is a clear one."
The overhaul of the existing EU data protection regime could come into effect next year and would allow for bigger single fines.
It would also require all countries to have fines. Some states do not now levy penalties.
Google's total revenue in 2012 amounted to $50 billion which would make a two percent fine $1 billion.Under current European rules, only individual countries can levy fines against companies that violate data privacy laws. Fines range
from 300,000 euros to 600,000 euros.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/19/eu-dataprotection-idUSL6N0BJCUN20130219The European Parliament is currently reviewing the rules drafted by the European Commission. They will then need the consent of EU member nations before becoming law, a process that could take up to a year.
