Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Under Scanner On Proposal To Adopt DNS Over HTTP, A New Standard To Improve Privacy

Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Google is under scanner on its recent move to encrypt the Internet. Congressional anti-trust investigators feel that new standard DND Over HTTP gives Google an unfair advantage. The search giant could take advantage of the user data for commercial gains. According to the Wall Street Journal, the investigators on behalf of House Judiciary Committee sent a letter on September 13, 2019. The investigators wanted Google to know whether it wants to promote the new protocol or adopt. 

DNS over https to improve privacy

Google is reportedly working on a new standard to encrypt the internet standard and enhance user privacy. It helps to thwart the attempts of hackers to spoof the websites. The initial testing phase of the new standard would begin in October 2019, with the users of its Chrome browser.

Privacy is paramount

Now the users want to know how much of their data is used for commercial purposes. It is on the backdrop of Cambridge Analytica steals the data from 87 million Facebook users last year without their consent. The social media giant is still grappling with the scandal. Therefore, privacy is paramount and needs new standards.

The anti-trust investigators feel that new protocol prevents wireless and cable companies from accessing user data. Therefore, Google gains an advantage over other companies in using the data of users.

According to a spokesperson of Google, the company has no plans to alter or centralize the DNS providers to itself by default. It is a false assumption that Google is trying to centralize the provider of encrypted DNS.

Leaders at the House Judiciary Committee initiated an anti-trust investigation into Facebook, Amazon, Apple, and Google to ascertain whether the big tech companies indulge in anti-competitive acts. The investigation is to find out data misuse, privacy breaches, and anti-competitive behaviors of the tech giants.

Google is already facing an investigation for its move to adopt DND over TLS in its chrome browser. The new standard allows Google to prevent spoofing and to spy on the user’s data. It has received a letter from the House on September 13, 2019. However, the company maintained that tweaks in chrome allow the users sharing the data with their consent. Google would not force users to use encrypted mode when browsing.

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