Privacy firm drops advisory work

Privacy International criticised the implementation of StreetView

A UK privacy consultancy has said it will cease advisory work for private companies following criticism from Google about a lack of impartiality.

Two of 80/20 Thinking's founders, Simon Davies and Gus Hosein, also head up advocacy body Privacy International.

Google has questioned Privacy International's "credibility" because of its links to 80/20 and its work.

In a statement 80/20 admitted there was a "long-term risk of a perception of conflict of interest".

80/20 has done work for firms such as eBay, AOL, Phorm and Microsoft in the past but will cease such work by August 2009.

The firm said that the "dual involvement" of Mr Davies and Mr Hosein had "greatly helped client companies that seek to do the right thing by privacy".

Google has been the most high-profile critic of the relationship between 80/20 and Privacy International, most particularly in the light of an attempt by the advocacy body to block the roll out of StreetView in the UK.

Last month a Google spokesman told the Guardian website: "Simon Davies regularly attacks Google on privacy grounds.

"It's no secret that we believe the credibility of his criticisms is undermined by the fact that alongside his work for Privacy International, he acts as a consultant to a number of technology companies who are direct rivals to, and in some cases vocal critics of, Google - a fact that he rarely seems to disclose in his press releases or comments to the media."

80/20 said it would continue operations, but in a non-advisory capacity, and would focus on "developing and promoting privacy technologies".

The firm said: "It is with great sadness that we must take the decision to cease working with these and all other organisations in an advisory capacity."

"We will also continue to work on an ad-hoc basis with existing client companies in staff training, should those companies choose to engage us for that purpose," the firm added.