Google's breach of Apple's Safari prompts privacy probe

US regulators to check whether it caused consumers to be misled. Google Inc.'s breach of Apple Inc.'s Safari Internet browser is under investigation by US regulators to determine whether it caused consumers to be misled about privacy safeguards, a person familiar with the matter said. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is examining whether Mountain View, California-based Google effectively deceived consumers by planting so-called cookies on Safari, bypassing Apple software's privacy settings, said the person, who lacked authorisation to speak publicly on the matter and declined to be identified. The cookies allowed Google to aim targeted advertising at Safari users. The FTC is charged with protecting consumers against "unfair and deceptive" practices under the law that created the agency. The FTC also is looking at whether Google violated a consent decree with the commission signed last year, the person said. From: Gulfnews