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Berlin Court Rules Google’s Data Consent Practices Violate GDPR

The ruling mandates Google to disclose data processing details for over 70 services during account registration, though enforcement is delayed due to appeals.

Overview

  • The Berlin court ruled that Google must explicitly list which of its services process user data during account setup, citing lack of transparency.
  • The case was brought by Germany’s consumer advocacy federation (vzbv), challenging Google's compliance with GDPR requirements for informed consent.
  • The court found that Google's 'Express' and 'Manual Personalization' options did not allow users to make informed, granular choices about data usage.
  • Google's argument that listing all services would harm transparency due to excessive text was rejected by the court as insufficient justification.
  • The ruling, issued on March 25, 2025, and published on May 16, 2025, is not yet enforceable as Google has filed appeals, delaying its legal finality.