Google agrees deal with Korean watchdog to help users better understand its new privacy policy

After weeks of negotiations over its new privacy policy, Google has agreed a plan with the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) to better inform domestic Internet users on how it will use their data and provide links to its existing services to allow them to control the information they share.

The Korean communications watchdog released a statement noting that the search giant would supplement its new rules — which were incorporated on March 1 — not change them, as previous reports had suggested.

Google has issued a statement confirming it will provide additional information, helping Korean users understand its approach to privacy:

“Privacy is an important issue for our users and for Google. It is also important to the Korean government, which has raised questions about our updated Privacy Policy. We place great importance on respecting the law in all countries where we operate, so we’ve worked closely with Korean regulators in recent weeks to answer their questions and address their concerns.

As a result of these discussions, we have agreed to provide additional information – as a supplement to our single global policy – for our Korean users to help them better understand our approach to privacy, as well as the tools they can use to manage and ensure the security of the information they choose to store in their Google Accounts.”

It is the first time Google has moved to clarify its new rules since their introduction. The company is still under investigation in Europe and has received warnings from advocacy groups in Japan.

The KCC reportedly began its investigation into whether Google’s new privacy policy — new rules that combine a user’s information across its services — violated local laws in February. It was believed to be looking to determine whether the search giant’s new measures violated domestic data protection and open use of the Internet.

The Korean watchdog recommended that Google tell users why it would collect information and prompt them for permission.

It is believed that Google will provide additional links within its privacy policy, directing them to its Account Activity dashboard and specific privacy controls within a user’s profile, allowing them to opt-out of its data collection services.

The search giant will explain the changes it will make by April 15.