Google continues to encounter problems overseas, now facing a 15 million euros ($18.6 million) fine from a Dutch privacy watchdog for how it handles users' personal data.
The Data Protection Authrority (DPA) said the U.S.-based search giant used people's browsing history, location data and other private information to target them with customized ads, which is a violation of the Netherlands' data protection act, according to Reuters.
Google now has until February to change the way it handles collected data and avoid the fine.
The College for the Protection of Personal Data demanded that Google make it clearer to its users about how it uses their personal information, CTV News reported.
Google spokesman Al Verney said the company is disappointed with the order, "especially as we have already made a number of changes to our privacy policy in response to their concerns."
The company is able to customize ads by combining data from search engine queries, third-party website tracking (cookies), video browsing and location data, Reuters reported.
The Netherlands is now the sixth European country to investigate Google's handling of user information since the company introduced new privacy rules in 2012, the previous five being the U.K., Spain, Germany, France and Italy.
Dutch DPA Chairman Jacob Kohnstamm said the agency hopes that "our patience will no longer be tested."
