11 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
11 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

[ASK] Google Analytics and other service in Germany

by apzzz
10 replies
Hi, I've been looking for the right subforum but I can't find it so I post it in this subforum. I have a site which I set up 2 years ago back when I in Singapore, now I have to stay 6 months in Germany for some reason.

I read from the internet that Google Analytics is illegal. I'm wondering whether it's okay to use google analytics in germany? And are there any other services or site which is banned by German Court and I can't use?

Thanks for the answer before
#analytics #germany #google #service
  • Profile picture of the author kimoftheworld
    If GA perse is illegal, you can use many alternatives like Piwik for example.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6213050].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author apzzz
      Thanks for your response, but I'm affraid that piwik or other services similar to GA is illegal in Germany.. Is there somebody lives in germany or know about this thing?
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6218238].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author kjr
        Are you sure that they are actually illegal. I think that it is the case in Germany that you have to anonymize the captured visitors IP address. You also, according to a recent EU law, have to offer an opt out. Both of these are relatively easy to do with Piwik.
        I think that as long as you do these 2 things then you are safe. There may be other things needed in Germany, but these are the only 2 that I have heard of.
        Signature

        Home Based Money Makers - Free Home Business Tips Newsletter.

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6218317].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author apzzz
          Originally Posted by kjr View Post

          Are you sure that they are actually illegal. I think that it is the case in Germany that you have to anonymize the captured visitors IP address. You also, according to a recent EU law, have to offer an opt out. Both of these are relatively easy to do with Piwik.
          I think that as long as you do these 2 things then you are safe. There may be other things needed in Germany, but these are the only 2 that I have heard of.
          I don't know, that's why I opened a thread asking about these. As far as I browsing this problem, many sites said that GA is illegal in here. What do you mean by anonymize the captured visitor IP address? is this feature available in piwik? thanks before for answering my question
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6229403].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Dietriffic
    GA uses cookies.

    See my signature to find out more.

    Very annoying.
    Signature

    — Melanie (RD)

    Weight loss/fitness marketers earn 75% per sale with... The Fat Reversal Formula
    Join me: Twitter and Facebook

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6229412].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author apzzz
      Originally Posted by Dietriffic View Post

      GA uses cookies.

      See my signature to find out more.

      Very annoying.
      Hi thank you for the information. I just wondering whether my website is okay. Because I set up this website and all the analytics thing 2 years ago when I was in Singapore and now I move to Germany for only 6 months and control it from here. Is it okay? Or I still break the EU rules? Thank you
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6240701].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author K Meier
    Let Google worry about the consequences of user tracking. If they offer a service and it turns out that their service gathers too much information, the EU commission will be after them, and not you.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6240732].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Dietriffic
      Originally Posted by K Meier View Post

      Let Google worry about the consequences of user tracking. If they offer a service and it turns out that their service gathers too much information, the EU commission will be after them, and not you.
      It's not about the information.

      It's about website owners using cookies.

      If a company provides a service or software (like Google or AWeber) for webmasters, it's the site owners responsibility to obey the law, not the service providers.
      Signature

      — Melanie (RD)

      Weight loss/fitness marketers earn 75% per sale with... The Fat Reversal Formula
      Join me: Twitter and Facebook

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6241174].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author K Meier
    Well if Google Analytics would be against the law of any EU country, the EU commission would have done something about that. There is no way using Google Analytics is against German law, otherwise it wold be all over the news.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6241204].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Dietriffic
      Originally Posted by K Meier View Post

      Well if Google Analytics would be against the law of any EU country, the EU commission would have done something about that. There is no way using Google Analytics is against German law, otherwise it wold be all over the news.
      I doubted it as well.

      I was wrong.
      Signature

      — Melanie (RD)

      Weight loss/fitness marketers earn 75% per sale with... The Fat Reversal Formula
      Join me: Twitter and Facebook

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6241553].message }}

Trending Topics