What Data Does Google Analytics Prohibit Collecting?
Google Analytics is a popular web analytics service that allows website owners to track and analyze user behavior on their website. While Google Analytics collects a wide range of data, there are certain types of data that are prohibited from being collected. In this blog post, we will discuss what data Google Analytics prohibits collecting and why.
Personal Identifiable Information (PII)
Google Analytics prohibits collecting any personal identifiable information (PII) about website visitors. This includes information such as names, email addresses, phone numbers, and social security numbers. Google Analytics also prohibits collecting any user IDs that can be linked to PII. The reason for this is to protect the privacy of website visitors and to comply with data protection laws.
User Data from Advertisers
Google Analytics prohibits collecting user data from advertisers, such as DoubleClick, for the purpose of creating remarketing lists. This is to prevent advertisers from using Google Analytics data to target ads to specific individuals. Advertisers are required to use the Google Ads remarketing feature to create remarketing lists.
Sensitive Information
Google Analytics prohibits collecting any sensitive information about website visitors. This includes information related to health, race, religion, sexual orientation, political affiliation, and financial information. The reason for this is to protect the privacy of website visitors and to comply with data protection laws.
How to Ensure Compliance
To ensure compliance with Google Analytics’ policies, website owners should review their data collection practices and make sure they are not collecting any prohibited data. Website owners should also review their privacy policy to ensure that it is clear and accurate about the data that is being collected and how it is being used.
In addition, website owners should use the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on to allow website visitors to opt-out of being tracked by Google Analytics. This will give website visitors control over their data and help website owners comply with data protection laws.
Conclusion
Google Analytics is a powerful tool that can provide valuable insights into website traffic and user behavior. However, it is important to comply with Google Analytics’ policies and not collect any prohibited data. By following best practices and reviewing data collection practices, website owners can ensure compliance with Google Analytics’ policies and protect the privacy of their website visitors.
