Google in firing line again over data collection

European Commission confirms further investigation into Google's data-gathering conduct

Google is being investigated by EU antitrust regulators again over how it collects data, a report by Reuters has revealed.

An executive of the European Commission told Reuters that the initial stages of an investigation have started into how Google uses data related to local search services, online advertising, online ad targeting services, login services, web browsers and others.

The regulator told Reuters: "The Commission has sent out questionnaires as part of a preliminary investigation into Google's practices relating to Google's collection and use of data.

"The preliminary investigation is ongoing."

Google has been on the receiving end of some hefty fines from the European regulators over recent years.

It was fined a record €4.3bn (£3.3bn) in July 2018 for "imposing illegal restrictions" on Android smartphone manufacturers, before being hit by a milestone £44m GDPR fine in January.

Going back further, the internet giant was hit with a €2.4bn fine for promoting its own shopping comparison over competitors in 2017.

Its total fines over the last two years top €8bn, according to Reuters.