The User ID feature in Google Analytics is a more obvious no-no which can be used to track a data subject across multiple devices and visits. Under the current ePrivacy Regulations and the GDPR, it is safest to turn this option off. Similar to IP addresses, this seemingly non-important piece of information could in some cases be used to identify specific data subjects. Client ID in Google AnalyticsĬlient ID is an option in Google Analytics that is used to track browser instances to distinguish between repeat and new visitors. Therefore, long URLs such as these should be shortened so that they do not contain such information in any decipherable form. Even though it would take some detective work to use that information to identify a person, the fact that it is possible is enough to warrant protection under the GDPR. This URL could potentially be used in Google Analytics to link with the user who visited it and deduce the identity of that anonymous user. The resulting URL that user is redirected to may look something like this: Say, for example, a user registers for a sweepstakes on your website with the following information: Long URLs are a type of web address that may result from certain data being entered in a form or registration. It is possible that this specific technicality could be solved by upcoming ePrivacy Regulations, but for now it is safest to anonymize IP addresses in Google Analytics with the JavaScript tag. Here's how Google shows this in a helpful diagram: The last several digits are replaced by zeros, making the IP address less specific, without losing much accuracy in geographic reporting. As such, even though you yourself do not have access to this information, you must anonymize it so that it is not accessible by anyone else, either.įortunately, Google is aware of this technicality and provides a simple JavaScript solution that can be used to anonymize the IP addresses of your users immediately after the IP address is received. The reason why is because although IP addresses are not stored in Google Analytics or accessible by normal clients, employees within Google could access this information. While anonymizing IP addresses has always been best practice, the GDPR is turning that into a requirement for the first time in many countries. Here are some of the changes and what you'll need to do to comply with them: IP Addresses under the GDPR Google Analytics and the GDPR from termsfeed So, if you use Google Analytics (or other similar services) and have users within the EU, you must be compliant with the GDPR.
![anonymizer universal email service anonymizer universal email service](https://www.americanforests.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Central-park-Drew-Geraets-via-Flickr.jpg)
This means you must be fully compliant with the GDPR. This couldn't be further from the truth, and here's why:īy using a third-party service that collects or processes personal data on your website, your website is collecting and processing the personal data of its users. Some website owners think that since it's Google Analytics, not their website itself, which is collecting and using personal data, that the website itself need not be compliant with the GDPR.
![anonymizer universal email service anonymizer universal email service](https://mac-cdn.softpedia.com/screenshots/Anonymizer_1.jpg)
![anonymizer universal email service anonymizer universal email service](https://androidcommunity.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/anonymizer-vpn.jpg)
The General Data Protection Regulation ( GDPR) is very clear that any collection or processing of personal data from residents of the EU is to be regulated by its rules.Ī common point of confusion when it comes to GDPR compliance is the use of third-party services that collect or use personal data, such as Google Analytics. For more information on GA4 features and how this will affect you, check out our article: GDPR and Google Analytics 4 (GA4) Editor's Note: Google Analytics 4 will phase out Univeral Analytics on July 1, 2023, and Univeral Analytics 360 on October 1, 2023.