Google Analytics is illegal... How can you continue to use it?

Why did Google Analytics become illegal? The Guarantor has highlighted that the transfer abroad of personal data without Google, as manager, having implemented adequate measures and guarantees for the protection of this data.

Specifically, Google Analytics collects various information about visits, including IP address, device type, browser, language, operating system, date and time of visit, pages viewed, etc.

However, the IP address is considered personal data and, although it has been possible to activate IP anonymization for years, Google still has the ability to enrich the data with all the other data collected and is reasonably able to link the visit to a specific user. Furthermore, the IP anonymization procedure erases the last third numeric in the IP, keeping the other digits intact.

Furthermore, in light of the abolition of the Privacy Shield between the United States and the European Union (July 2020), the USA is not considered a country that offers adequate protection measures, also due to the fact that US government authorities and intelligence agencies can access data without the necessary security guarantees.

Clearly, a pronouncement of this type by the Guarantor has triggered panic among website owners who use Google Analytics to collect statistics. Panic that led to several rash actions:

Removing Google Analytics

Local software installations for statistical tracking (Matomo, etc.)

Returning to more basic statistical software such as AWStats or Webalyzer.

How to continue using Google Analytics However, there are more valid alternatives to continue using Google Analytics, in its new version 4, in a manner compliant with Privacy laws.

And this is what we at Host have been working towards in this last period, we are in fact proud to announce the result of the collaboration with Search On Media Group which led to the development and release of Host Analytics.

Host Analytics is a service that allows you to use the new Google Analytics 4 in server-to-server mode, in compliance with the Privacy directives.

How does Host Analytics work? Host Analytics connects to the Google Analytics 4 API and acts as a proxy between your site and Google servers.

The operation of Host Analytics is very simple, the statistical data collected by your site is purified from all personal data, such as IP, and is sent to the Google Analytics servers. In this way, the data transferred to the United States will no longer represent a problem, as it will be pure statistical data, without personal data.

Furthermore, Host Analytics uses first-party cookies to collect statistical data and this allows for 30% more accurate data compared to tracking performed using third-party cookies, which are generally blocked by AdBlockers and other tracking protection systems.

Host Analytics is now in Public Beta and is free for up to 10 domains and 100 thousand monthly events.

Larger paid plans will be available soon for high traffic sites and web agencies with many sites.

What are you waiting for? Hurry and try Host Analytics: