Google Warns EU: Data-Anonymization Plan Can Be Breached in Two Hours

Published on May 6, 2026

Google’s approach to data privacy is under scrutiny as new EU regulations loom. The European Commission’s plan for mandatory search data sharing has sparked controversy. Concerns about the effectiveness of anonymization techniques are at the forefront of discussions.

Sergei Vassilvitskii, Google’s differential privacy expert, has raised alarms about the proposal. In a letter to Brussels, he claims the anonymization can be compromised in just two hours. This revelation challenges the foundation of the Commission’s strategy.

The red team at Google demonstrated how the anonymization scheme could be reversed swiftly. Such findings suggest that regulatory measures may not protect user data as intended. The deadline for the Commission’s decision approaches, amplifying the urgency of these concerns.

The implications of this revelation could reshape the regulatory landscape in Europe. If the technology’s vulnerabilities are confirmed, trust in data sharing initiatives could erode rapidly. As debates continue, the balance between regulation and innovation hangs by a thread.

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