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• FFMPEG - rewarp MPEGDash to MP4 changes audio bitrate mode

  30 juin 2022, par Matthieu Ducorps

  I'm rewrapping some MPEGDash to MP4 wrapper and some files are outputed with variable audio bitrate where others with constant bitrate,and both sources looks exactly the same.

  


  For reference :

  


  I'm using FFMPEG 5.0 for the rewrapping

  


  ffmpeg version 5.0-full_build-www.gyan.dev Copyright (c) 2000-2022 the FFmpeg developers
    built with gcc 11.2.0 (Rev5, Built by MSYS2 project)
    configuration: --enable-gpl --enable-version3 --enable-static --disable-w32threads --disable-autodetect --enable-fontconfig --enable-iconv --enable-gnutls --enable-libxml2 --enable-gmp --enable-bzlib --enable-lzma --enable-libsnappy --enable-zlib --enable-librist --enable-libsrt --enable-libssh --enable-libzmq --enable-avisynth --enable-libbluray --enable-libcaca --enable-sdl2 --enable-libdav1d --enable-libdavs2 --enable-libuavs3d --enable-libzvbi --enable-librav1e --enable-libsvtav1 --enable-libwebp --enable-libx264 --enable-libx265 --enable-libxavs2 --enable-libxvid --enable-libaom --enable-libopenjpeg --enable-libvpx --enable-mediafoundation --enable-libass --enable-frei0r --enable-libfreetype --enable-libfribidi --enable-libvidstab --enable-libvmaf --enable-libzimg --enable-amf --enable-cuda-llvm --enable-cuvid --enable-ffnvcodec --enable-nvdec --enable-nvenc --enable-d3d11va --enable-dxva2 --enable-libmfx --enable-libshaderc --enable-vulkan --enable-libplacebo --enable-opencl --enable-libcdio --enable-libgme --enable-libmodplug --enable-libopenmpt --enable-libopencore-amrwb --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libshine --enable-libtheora --enable-libtwolame --enable-libvo-amrwbenc --enable-libilbc --enable-libgsm --enable-libopencore-amrnb --enable-libopus --enable-libspeex --enable-libvorbis --enable-ladspa --enable-libbs2b --enable-libflite --enable-libmysofa --enable-librubberband --enable-libsoxr --enable-chromaprint
    libavutil      57. 17.100 / 57. 17.100
    libavcodec     59. 18.100 / 59. 18.100
    libavformat    59. 16.100 / 59. 16.100
    libavdevice    59.  4.100 / 59.  4.100
    libavfilter     8. 24.100 /  8. 24.100
    libswscale      6.  4.100 /  6.  4.100
    libswresample   4.  3.100 /  4.  3.100
    libpostproc    56.  3.100 / 56.  3.100


  


  And MediaInfo 22.09 to check the medias.

  


  

  


  I'm using this command to rewrap the media :

  


  ffmpeg.exe -y -i MPEGDash.mpd -map 0:v -map 0:a -c copy OutFile.mp4


  


  This source MPEGDASH with constant audio bitrate

  


  General
Complete name                            : \\Constant\PROXY\A0002_30sec\MPEGDash_A0002_30sec.mpd
Format                                   : DASH MPD
File size                                : 4.14 MiB
Duration                                 : 30 s 80 ms
Overall bit rate mode                    : Constant
Overall bit rate                         : 1 154 kb/s

Video
ID                                       : 0-1
Format                                   : AVC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile                           : High@L3.1
Format settings                          : CABAC / 2 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC                   : Yes
Format settings, Reference frames        : 2 frames
Format settings, GOP                     : M=3, N=30
Muxing mode                              : dash
Codec ID                                 : avc1
Codec ID/Info                            : Advanced Video Coding
Duration                                 : 30 s 30 ms
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 640 kb/s
Width                                    : 640 pixels
Height                                   : 360 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
Frame rate mode                          : Constant
Frame rate                               : 29.970 (30000/1001) FPS
Standard                                 : NTSC
Color space                              : YUV
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Scan type                                : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.093
Stream size                              : 2.28 MiB (55%)
Language                                 : English
Encoded date                             : UTC 2022-06-30 08:20:16
Tagged date                              : UTC 2022-06-30 08:20:16
Color range                              : Limited
Color primaries                          : BT.709
Transfer characteristics                 : BT.709
Matrix coefficients                      : BT.709
Source                                   : V0_360p_640000/V0_360p_640000_init.mp4
Codec configuration box                  : avcC

Audio #1
ID                                       : 160-1
Format                                   : AAC LC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Muxing mode                              : dash
Codec ID                                 : mp4a-40-2
Duration                                 : 30 s 80 ms
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 128 kb/s
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Channel layout                           : L R
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate                               : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 460 KiB (11%)
Language                                 : English
Encoded date                             : UTC 2022-06-30 08:20:16
Tagged date                              : UTC 2022-06-30 08:20:16
Source                                   : A0_48000_128000/A0_48000_128000_init.mp4

Audio #2
ID                                       : 161-1
Format                                   : AAC LC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Muxing mode                              : dash
Codec ID                                 : mp4a-40-2
Duration                                 : 30 s 80 ms
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 128 kb/s
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Channel layout                           : L R
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate                               : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 460 KiB (11%)
Language                                 : English
Encoded date                             : UTC 2022-06-30 08:20:16
Tagged date                              : UTC 2022-06-30 08:20:16
Source                                   : A1_48000_128000/A1_48000_128000_init.mp4

Audio #3
ID                                       : 162-1
Format                                   : AAC LC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Muxing mode                              : dash
Codec ID                                 : mp4a-40-2
Duration                                 : 30 s 80 ms
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 128 kb/s
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Channel layout                           : L R
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate                               : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 460 KiB (11%)
Language                                 : English
Encoded date                             : UTC 2022-06-30 08:20:16
Tagged date                              : UTC 2022-06-30 08:20:16
Source                                   : A2_48000_128000/A2_48000_128000_init.mp4

Audio #4
ID                                       : 163-1
Format                                   : AAC LC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Muxing mode                              : dash
Codec ID                                 : mp4a-40-2
Duration                                 : 30 s 80 ms
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 128 kb/s
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Channel layout                           : L R
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate                               : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 460 KiB (11%)
Language                                 : English
Encoded date                             : UTC 2022-06-30 08:20:16
Tagged date                              : UTC 2022-06-30 08:20:16
Source                                   : A3_48000_128000/A3_48000_128000_init.mp4


  


  Has the expected output with constant audio bitrate on the MP4

  


  General
Complete name                            : \\Constant\PROXY\A0002_30sec\A0002_30sec.mp4
Format                                   : MPEG-4
Format profile                           : Base Media
Codec ID                                 : isom (isom/iso2/avc1/mp41)
File size                                : 4.13 MiB
Duration                                 : 30 s 96 ms
Overall bit rate mode                    : Constant
Overall bit rate                         : 1 152 kb/s
Movie name                               : MPEGDash_A0002_30sec.mpd
Writing application                      : Lavf59.16.100

Video
ID                                       : 1
Format                                   : AVC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile                           : High@L3.1
Format settings                          : CABAC / 2 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC                   : Yes
Format settings, Reference frames        : 2 frames
Format settings, GOP                     : M=3, N=30
Codec ID                                 : avc1
Codec ID/Info                            : Advanced Video Coding
Duration                                 : 30 s 96 ms
Source duration                          : 29 s 997 ms
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 590 kb/s
Nominal bit rate                         : 640 kb/s
Maximum bit rate                         : 636 kb/s
Width                                    : 640 pixels
Height                                   : 360 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
Frame rate mode                          : Constant
Frame rate                               : 29.970 (30000/1001) FPS
Standard                                 : NTSC
Color space                              : YUV
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Scan type                                : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.085
Stream size                              : 2.12 MiB (51%)
Source stream size                       : 2.28 MiB (55%)
Color range                              : Limited
Color primaries                          : BT.709
Transfer characteristics                 : BT.709
Matrix coefficients                      : BT.709
mdhd_Duration                            : 30030
Codec configuration box                  : avcC

Audio #1
ID                                       : 2
Format                                   : AAC LC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Codec ID                                 : mp4a-40-2
Duration                                 : 30 s 80 ms
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 125 kb/s
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Channel layout                           : L R
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate                               : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 460 KiB (11%)
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : Yes
Alternate group                          : 1

Audio #2
ID                                       : 3
Format                                   : AAC LC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Codec ID                                 : mp4a-40-2
Duration                                 : 30 s 80 ms
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 125 kb/s
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Channel layout                           : L R
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate                               : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 460 KiB (11%)
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : Yes
Alternate group                          : 2

Audio #3
ID                                       : 4
Format                                   : AAC LC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Codec ID                                 : mp4a-40-2
Duration                                 : 30 s 80 ms
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 125 kb/s
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Channel layout                           : L R
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate                               : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 460 KiB (11%)
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : Yes
Alternate group                          : 3

Audio #4
ID                                       : 5
Format                                   : AAC LC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Codec ID                                 : mp4a-40-2
Duration                                 : 30 s 80 ms
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 125 kb/s
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Channel layout                           : L R
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate                               : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 460 KiB (11%)
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : Yes
Alternate group                          : 4


  


  But this source MPEGDASH which has the same characteristics :

  


  General
Complete name                            : \\Variable\PROXY\A0005_30sec\MPEGDash_A0005_30sec.mpd
Format                                   : DASH MPD
File size                                : 4.15 MiB
Duration                                 : 30 s 80 ms
Overall bit rate mode                    : Constant
Overall bit rate                         : 1 157 kb/s

Video
ID                                       : 0-1
Format                                   : AVC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile                           : High@L3.1
Format settings                          : CABAC / 2 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC                   : Yes
Format settings, Reference frames        : 2 frames
Format settings, GOP                     : M=3, N=30
Muxing mode                              : dash
Codec ID                                 : avc1
Codec ID/Info                            : Advanced Video Coding
Duration                                 : 30 s 30 ms
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 640 kb/s
Width                                    : 640 pixels
Height                                   : 360 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
Frame rate mode                          : Constant
Frame rate                               : 29.970 (30000/1001) FPS
Standard                                 : NTSC
Color space                              : YUV
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Scan type                                : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.093
Stream size                              : 2.29 MiB (55%)
Language                                 : English
Encoded date                             : UTC 2022-06-30 08:24:03
Tagged date                              : UTC 2022-06-30 08:24:03
Color range                              : Limited
Color primaries                          : BT.709
Transfer characteristics                 : BT.709
Matrix coefficients                      : BT.709
Source                                   : V0_360p_640000/V0_360p_640000_init.mp4
Codec configuration box                  : avcC

Audio #1
ID                                       : 160-1
Format                                   : AAC LC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Muxing mode                              : dash
Codec ID                                 : mp4a-40-2
Duration                                 : 30 s 80 ms
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 128 kb/s
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Channel layout                           : L R
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate                               : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 461 KiB (11%)
Language                                 : English
Encoded date                             : UTC 2022-06-30 08:24:03
Tagged date                              : UTC 2022-06-30 08:24:03
Source                                   : A0_48000_128000/A0_48000_128000_init.mp4

Audio #2
ID                                       : 161-1
Format                                   : AAC LC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Muxing mode                              : dash
Codec ID                                 : mp4a-40-2
Duration                                 : 30 s 80 ms
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 128 kb/s
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Channel layout                           : L R
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate                               : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 460 KiB (11%)
Language                                 : English
Encoded date                             : UTC 2022-06-30 08:24:03
Tagged date                              : UTC 2022-06-30 08:24:03
Source                                   : A1_48000_128000/A1_48000_128000_init.mp4

Audio #3
ID                                       : 162-1
Format                                   : AAC LC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Muxing mode                              : dash
Codec ID                                 : mp4a-40-2
Duration                                 : 30 s 80 ms
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 128 kb/s
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Channel layout                           : L R
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate                               : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 460 KiB (11%)
Language                                 : English
Encoded date                             : UTC 2022-06-30 08:24:03
Tagged date                              : UTC 2022-06-30 08:24:03
Source                                   : A2_48000_128000/A2_48000_128000_init.mp4

Audio #4
ID                                       : 163-1
Format                                   : AAC LC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Muxing mode                              : dash
Codec ID                                 : mp4a-40-2
Duration                                 : 30 s 80 ms
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 128 kb/s
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Channel layout                           : L R
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate                               : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 460 KiB (11%)
Language                                 : English
Encoded date                             : UTC 2022-06-30 08:24:03
Tagged date                              : UTC 2022-06-30 08:24:03
Source                                   : A3_48000_128000/A3_48000_128000_init.mp4


  


  Has this output where the MP4 have the first audio with variable bitrate

  


  General
Complete name                            : \\Variable\PROXY\A0005_30sec\A0005_30sec.mp4
Format                                   : MPEG-4
Format profile                           : Base Media
Codec ID                                 : isom (isom/iso2/avc1/mp41)
File size                                : 4.14 MiB
Duration                                 : 30 s 96 ms
Overall bit rate mode                    : Variable
Overall bit rate                         : 1 155 kb/s
Movie name                               : MPEGDash_A0005_30sec.mpd
Writing application                      : Lavf59.16.100

Video
ID                                       : 1
Format                                   : AVC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile                           : High@L3.1
Format settings                          : CABAC / 2 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC                   : Yes
Format settings, Reference frames        : 2 frames
Format settings, GOP                     : M=3, N=30
Codec ID                                 : avc1
Codec ID/Info                            : Advanced Video Coding
Duration                                 : 30 s 96 ms
Source duration                          : 29 s 997 ms
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 593 kb/s
Nominal bit rate                         : 640 kb/s
Maximum bit rate                         : 640 kb/s
Width                                    : 640 pixels
Height                                   : 360 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
Frame rate mode                          : Constant
Frame rate                               : 29.970 (30000/1001) FPS
Standard                                 : NTSC
Color space                              : YUV
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Scan type                                : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.086
Stream size                              : 2.13 MiB (51%)
Source stream size                       : 2.29 MiB (55%)
Color range                              : Limited
Color primaries                          : BT.709
Transfer characteristics                 : BT.709
Matrix coefficients                      : BT.709
mdhd_Duration                            : 30030
Codec configuration box                  : avcC

Audio #1
ID                                       : 2
Format                                   : AAC LC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Codec ID                                 : mp4a-40-2
Duration                                 : 30 s 80 ms
Bit rate mode                            : Variable
Bit rate                                 : 126 kb/s
Maximum bit rate                         : 128 kb/s
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Channel layout                           : L R
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate                               : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 461 KiB (11%)
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : Yes
Alternate group                          : 1

Audio #2
ID                                       : 3
Format                                   : AAC LC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Codec ID                                 : mp4a-40-2
Duration                                 : 30 s 80 ms
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 125 kb/s
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Channel layout                           : L R
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate                               : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 460 KiB (11%)
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : Yes
Alternate group                          : 2

Audio #3
ID                                       : 4
Format                                   : AAC LC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Codec ID                                 : mp4a-40-2
Duration                                 : 30 s 80 ms
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 125 kb/s
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Channel layout                           : L R
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate                               : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 460 KiB (11%)
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : Yes
Alternate group                          : 3

Audio #4
ID                                       : 5
Format                                   : AAC LC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Codec ID                                 : mp4a-40-2
Duration                                 : 30 s 80 ms
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 125 kb/s
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Channel layout                           : L R
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate                               : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 460 KiB (11%)
Language                                 : English
Default                                  : Yes
Alternate group                          : 4


  


  Maybe I'm missing something but,I don't see what.

  


• Google Analytics 4 and GDPR : Everything You Need to Know

  17 mai 2022, par Erin

  Four years have passed since the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR, also known as DSGVO in German, and RGPD in French) took effect.

  That’s ample time to get compliant, especially for an organisation as big and innovative as Google. Or is it ? 

  If you are wondering how GDPR affects Google Analytics 4 and what the compliance status is at present, here’s the lowdown. 

  Is Google Analytics 4 GDPR Compliant ?

  No. As of mid-2022, Google Analytics 4 (GA4) isn’t fully GDPR compliant. Despite adding extra privacy-focused features, GA4 still has murky status with the European regulators. After the invalidation of the Privacy Shield framework in 2020, Google is yet to regulate EU-US data protection. At present, the company doesn’t sufficiently protect EU citizens’ and residents’ data against US surveillance laws. This is a direct breach of GDPR.

  Google Analytics and GDPR : a Complex Relationship 

  European regulators have scrutinised Google since GDPR came into effect in 2018.

  While the company took steps to prepare for GDPR provisions, it didn’t fully comply with important regulations around user data storage, transfer and security.

  The relationship between Google and EU regulators got more heated after the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) invalidated the Privacy Shield — a leeway Google used for EU-US data transfers. After 2020, GDPR litigation against Google followed. 

  This post summarises the main milestones in this story and explains the consequences for Google Analytics users. 

  

  2018 : Google Analytics Meets GDPR 

  In 2018, the EU adopted the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) — a set of privacy and data security laws, covering all member states. Every business interacting with EU citizens and/or residents had to comply.

  GDPR harmonised data protection laws across member states and put down extra provisions for what constitutes sensitive personal information (or PII). Broadly, PII includes any data about the person’s :

  • Racial or ethnic origin 
  • Employment status 
  • Religious or political beliefs
  • State of health 
  • Genetic or biometric data 
  • Financial records (such as payment method data)
  • Address and phone numbers 

  Businesses were barred from collecting this information without explicit consent (and even with it in some cases). If collected, such sensitive information is also subject to strict requirements on how it should be stored, secured, transferred and used. 

  7 Main GDPR Principles Explained 

  Article 5 of the GDPR lays out seven main GDPR principles for personal data and privacy protection : 

  • Lawfulness, fairness and transparency — data must be obtained legally, collected with consent and in adherence to laws. 
  • Purpose limitation — all personal information must be collected for specified, explicit and legal purposes. 
  • Data minimisation — companies must collect only necessary and adequate data, aligned with the stated purpose. 
  • Accuracy — data accuracy must be ensured at all times. Companies must have mechanisms to erase or correct inaccurate data without delays. 
  • Storage limitation — data must be stored only for as long as the stated purpose suggests. Though there’s no upper time limit on data storage. 
  • Integrity and confidentiality (security) — companies must take measures to ensure secure data storage and prevent unlawful or unauthorised access to it. 
  • Accountability — companies must be able to demonstrate adherence to the above principles. 

  Google claimed to have taken steps to make all of their products GDPR compliant ahead of the deadline. But in practice, this wasn’t always the case.

  In March 2018, a group of publishers admonished Google for not providing them with enough tools for GDPR compliance :

  “[Y]ou refuse to provide publishers with any specific information about how you will collect, share and use the data. Placing the full burden of obtaining new consent on the publisher is untenable without providing the publisher with the specific information needed to provide sufficient transparency or to obtain the requisite specific, granular and informed consent under the GDPR.”

  The proposed Google Analytics GDPR consent form was hard to implement and lacked customisation options. In fact, Google “makes unilateral decisions” on how the collected data is stored and used. 

  Users had no way to learn about or control all intended uses of people’s data — which made compliance with the second clause impossible. 

  Unsurprisingly, Google was among the first companies to face a GDPR lawsuit (together with Facebook). 

  By 2019, French data regulator CNIL, successfully argued that Google wasn’t sufficiently disclosing its data collection across products — and hence in breach of GDPR. After a failed appeal, Google had to pay a €50 million fine and promise to do better. 

  2019 : Google Analytics 4 Announcement 

  Throughout 2019, Google rightfully attempted to resolve some of its GDPR shortcomings across all products, Google Universal Analytics (UA) included. 

  They added a more visible consent mechanism for online tracking and provided extra compliance tips for users to follow. In the background, Google also made tech changes to its data processing mechanism to get on the good side of regulations.

  Though Google addressed some of the issues, they missed others. A 2019 independent investigation found that Google real-time-bidding (RTB) ad auctions still used EU citizens’ and residents’ data without consent, thanks to a loophole called “Push Pages”. But they managed to quickly patch this up before the allegations had made it to court. 

  In November 2019, Google released a beta version of the new product version — Google Analytics 4, due to replace Universal Analytics. 

  GA4 came with a set of new privacy-focused features for ticking GDPR boxes such as :

  • Data deletion mechanism. Users can now request to surgically extract certain data from the Analytics servers via a new interface. 
  • Shorter data retention period. You can now shorten the default retention period to 2 months by default (instead of 14 months) or add a custom limit.  
  • IP Anonymisation. GA4 doesn’t log or store IP addresses by default. 

  Google Analytics also updated its data processing terms and made changes to its privacy policy. 

  Though Google made some progress, Google Analytics 4 still has many limitations — and isn’t GDPR compliant. 

  2020 : Privacy Shield Invalidation Ruling 

  As part of the 2018 GDPR preparations, Google named its Irish entity (Google Ireland Limited) as the “data controller” legally responsible for EEA and Swiss users’ information. 

  The company announcement says : 

  

  Initially, Google assumed that this legal change would help them ensure GDPR compliance as “legally speaking” a European entity was set in charge of European data. 

  Practically, however, EEA consumers’ data was still primarily transferred and processed in the US — where most Google data centres are located. Until 2020, such cross-border data transfers were considered legal thanks to the Privacy Shield framework. 

  But in July 2020, The EU Court of Justice ruled that this framework doesn’t provide adequate data protection to digitally transmitted data against US surveillance laws. Hence, companies like Google can no longer use it. The Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC) reached the same conclusion in September 2020. 

  The invalidation of the Privacy Shield framework put Google in a tough position.

   Article 14. f of the GDPR explicitly states : 

  “The controller (the company) that intends to carry out a transfer of personal data to a recipient (Analytics solution) in a third country or an international organisation must provide its users with information on the place of processing and storage of its data”.

  Invalidation of the Privacy Shield framework prohibited Google from moving data to the US. At the same time, GDPR provisions mandated that they must disclose proper data location. 

  But Google Analytics (like many other products) had no a mechanism for : 

  • Guaranteeing intra-EU data storage 
  • Selecting a designated regional storage location 
  • Informing users about data storage location or data transfers outside of the EU 

  And these factors made Google Analytics in direct breach of GDPR — a territory, where they remain as of 2022.

  2020-2022 : Google GDPR Breaches and Fines 

  The 2020 ruling opened Google to GDPR lawsuits from country-specific data regulators.

  Google Analytics in particular was under a heavy cease-fire. 

  • Sweden first fined Google for violating GDPR for no not fulfilling its obligations to request data delisting in 2020. 
  • France rejected Google Analytics 4 IP address anonymisation function as a sufficient measure for protecting cross-border data transfers. Even with it, US intelligence services can still access user IPs and other PII. France declared Google Analytics illegal and pressed a €150 million fine. 
  • Austria also found Google Analytics GDPR non-compliant and proclaimed the service as “illegal”. The authority now seeks a fine too. 

  The Dutch Data Protection Authority and  Norwegian Data Protection Authority also found Google Analytics guilty of a GDPR breach and seek to limit Google Analytics usage. 

  New privacy controls in Google Analytics 4 do not resolve the underlying issue — unregulated, non-consensual EU-US data transfer. 

  Google Analytics GDPR non-compliance effectively opens any website tracking or analysing European visitors to legal persecution.

  In fact, this is already happening. noyb, a European privacy-focused NGO, has already filed over 100 lawsuits against European websites using Google Analytics.

  2022 : Privacy Shield 2.0. Negotiations

  Google isn’t the only US company affected by the Privacy Shield framework invalidation. The ruling puts thousands of digital companies at risk of non-compliance.

  To settle the matter, US and EU authorities started “peace talks” in spring 2022.

  European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that they are working with the Biden administration on the new agreement that will “enable predictable and trustworthy data flows between the EU and US, safeguarding the privacy and civil liberties.” 

  However, it’s just the beginning of a lengthy negotiation process. The matter is far from being settled and contentious issues remain as we discussed on Twitter (come say hi !).

  

  For one, the US isn’t eager to modify its surveillance laws and is mostly willing to make them “proportional” to those in place in the EU. These modifications may still not satisfy CJEU — which has the power to block the agreement vetting or invalidate it once again. 

  While these matters are getting hashed out, Google Analytics users, collecting data about EU citizens and/or residents, remain on slippery grounds. As long as they use GA4, they can be subject to GDPR-related lawsuits. 

  To Sum It Up 

  • Google Analytics 4 and Google Universal Analytics are not GDPR compliant because of Privacy Shield invalidation in 2020. 
  • French and Austrian data watchdogs named Google Analytics operations “illegal”. Swedish, Dutch and Norwegian authorities also claim it’s in breach of GDPR. 
  • Any website using GA for collecting data about European citizens and/or residents can be taken to court for GDPR violations (which is already happening). 
  • Privacy Shield 2.0 Framework discussions to regulate EU-US data transfers have only begun and may take years. Even if accepted, the new framework(s) may once again be invalidated by local data regulators as has already happened in the past. 

  Time to Get a GDPR Compliant Google Analytics Alternative 

  Retaining 100% data ownership is the optimal path to GDPR compliance.

  By selecting a transparent web analytics solution that offers 100% data ownership, you can rest assured that no “behind the scenes” data collection, processing or transfers take place. 

  Unlike Google Analytics 4, Matomo offers all of the features you need to be GDPR compliant : 

  • Full data anonymisation 
  • Single-purpose data usage 
  • Easy consent and an opt-out mechanism 
  • First-party cookies usage by default 
  • Simple access to collect data 
  • Fast data removals 
  • EU-based data storage for Matomo Cloud (or storage in the country of your choice with Matomo On-Premise)

  Learn about your audiences in a privacy-centred way and protect your business against unnecessary legal exposure. 

  Start your 21-day free trial (no credit card required) to see how fully GDPR-compliant website analytics works ! 

  21 day free trial. No credit card required.

  Your email address
  

  Your website address
  

  Your Analytics subdomain will be .matomo.cloud (change)

  Choose your analytics subdomain
  

  .matomo.cloud

  I hereby accept the terms and conditions and the data processing agreeement (DPA).

  
  Your information will be used to create an account on our cloud service. For more information please consult our privacy policy.
  
  

  » Start improving your websites now

  

• France rules Google Analytics non-compliant with GDPR

  11 février 2022, par Erin — Privacy

  Breaking news : The French Data Protection Agency, CNIL (Commission nationale de l’informatique et des libertés), has concluded that the use of Google Analytics is illegal under GDPR. The CNIL has begun issuing formal notices to website managers using Google Analytics.

  This follows the January 2022 Austrian Data Protection Authority’s decision to declare Google Analytics illegal to use under GDPR.

  Google Analytics GDPR breaches continue to spread through the EU

  Since the invalidation of the Privacy Shield framework, an agreement between the EU and US that allowed the transfer of data to certified US companies, the CNIL and other EU data protection authorities have received numerous complaints regarding data transfers collected during visits to websites using Google Analytics.

  "It’s interesting to see that the different European Data Protection Authorities all come to the same conclusion : the use of Google Analytics is illegal. There is a European task force and we assume that this action is coordinated and other authorities will decide similarly."

  About the CNIL’s decision

  In this model case, the CNIL has found that an unnamed website’s use of Google Analytics is non-compliant with GDPR because it had breached Article 44 which prohibits the transfer of personal data beyond the EU, unless the recipient country can prove adequate data protection. 

  Under the GDPR, personal data covers a range of identifiers including email address, race, gender, phone number to name a few, but the less obvious identifiers include IP addresses or cookie IDs, for instance. 

  The CNIL’s decision was based on the fact that the US does not meet GDPR sufficient levels of data protection as a result of US surveillance laws. Therefore, the unnamed website’s use of Google Analytics created risks for their website visitors when their personal data was exported to the US. 

  At the time of writing, it is unknown if the CNIL has issued a fine for the GDPR breach. However, the website manager of the unnamed website has been ordered by the CNIL to comply with the GDPR and, if necessary, stop using Google Analytics under the current conditions.

  "One thing we’re certain of is that these decisions will continue to roll out throughout the EU and potentially beyond.

  Other countries are imposing their own privacy regulations that closely mirror the GDPR like Brazil’s General Data Protection Law (LGPD), India’s Data Protection Bill, New Zealand’s Privacy Act and Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) to name a few.”

  The CNIL offers an evaluation programme to help website managers determine whether web analytics solutions are exempt from collecting data prior to users’ agreement to opt-in through consent screens. Matomo, for instance, is a leading Google Analytics alternative that has been recommended by CNIL and is exempt from tracking consent. 

  

  English translation : “This is why I anticipated this announcement, gradually moving the analytics of my sites to @matomo_org since several weeks !

  “The @CNIL believes that the use of @googleanalytics is a violation of #GDPR”

  Immediate action required for Google Analytics users

  The CNIL and other EU-based data protection authorities have made their stance on Google Analytics clear and inaction will likely result in fines, which under the GDPR, can be up to €20 million or 4% of the organisation’s global turnover – whichever is higher.

  Based on the CNIL’s formal notice to the model case’s website manager, Google Analytics users should take immediate action to remove any chances of personal data being transferred to the US or find a Google Analytics alternative that is GDPR compliant. 

  

  English translation : “The CNIL considers that the use of Google Analytics is a violation of the GDPR. I use @matomo_org and I welcome it *winking face* It will squeal tires among growthackers who are slaughtering. Opportunity to look at alternative tools”

  Ready to begin your journey to GDPR compliance with Matomo ? Start your 21-day free trial now (no credit card required) and take advantage of our Google Analytics importer so you don’t lose any of your historical data. 

  Try 21-day free Cloud trial

  What does this mean for Matomo users ?

  As the GDPR continues to evolve, our users can rest assured that Matomo will be at the forefront of these changes. With Matomo Cloud, all data is stored in the EU or in your country of choice when you self-host on your own servers with Matomo On-Premise.

  Conclusion

  Google is in the EU’s crosshairs and organisations that continue to use their tools will be the one’s left to clean up the mess – not Google. Now is the time to act. Search for a Google Analytics alternative and close your compliance gaps today. 

  Join over 1 million other websites using Matomo now. Give Matomo a try with a 21-day free trial – no credit card required. 

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  We’d like to also bring attention to the privacy-fighting efforts from noyb and Max Schrems, as this should not go unnoticed. noyb is an independent, non-profit organisation that relies on the support of individuals. Support privacy by supporting noyb – donate or become a member now. 

  Contact details for media :

  For quotes or interviews, please email marketing@matomo.org