04/02/2020 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 4 February, the Irish Data Protection Commission announced that it will be launching a formal investigation into Google’s compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in relation to its practices in tracking the location of its users through features built into all user accounts. The investigation follows a series of complaints filed in November 2018 by seven consumer rights organisations, all of them members of the European Consumers’ Organisation (BEUC) (see EUROPE 12147/30). In a press release, BEUC welcomed the announcement, stating that this investigation should be treated as a priority by the Irish Data Protection Authority. The organisation noted that more than 14 months have passed since the complaints were filed and any further delay may undermine the credibility of the GDPR. (MF)