Published January 10, 2022 at 11.01
Domestic. A new study shows that an overwhelming majority of government agencies use specific, global web analytics providers, with Google Analytics clearly dominating. This poses a number of issues in data privacy, according to the researchers, who recommend the alternative service Matomo.
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Swedish authorities leak data about our surfing habits via web analysis tools such as Google Analytics.
Web analytics tools are used by organizations to obtain information about users who visit their site in order to improve their web site.
The problem arises when that information is stored in cloud services in third countries.
I In a new study from the University of Skövde, the researchers examined how large a proportion of the Swedish authorities use so-called proprietary technologies, technologies provided by specific, often global suppliers. Google Analytics is the best known example.
The study shows that 94 percent of the Swedish authorities, at the time of data collection, use proprietary technologies for web analysis, where Google Analytics clearly dominates, which causes problems regarding data privacy and locking.
According to the researchers, however, open software projects could untie many of the knots. In the study, the researchers show that Matomo, a free alternative to Analytics with open source, which can enable sustainable management and create conditions to avoid problems with data privacy and locking.
– It provides flexibility as operation of the solution can is managed both internally within an organization and as a cloud service with the help of an external supplier, says Jonas Gamalielsson, senior lecturer in computer science at the University of Skövde, in a mailing.
More and more authorities have in recent years drawn attention to problems with data processing involving third country transfers. When authorities acquire and use open source software, they are well placed to maintain good control over the data they process. This can be done internally at the authority or with the help of procured, external consultants who can be responsible for installation and operation on the authority's own servers, the researchers say.
– Software provided under a license that meets the definition of open source software provides the authority the opportunity to handle data in Sweden. For Matomo, like many other open source software, there are Swedish companies that provide both services and support, says Jonas Gamalielsson.