Google's settlement with the Federal Trade Commission over what the feds called deceptive tactics became official Monday.

Under the terms of the settlement, Google will submit to independent privacy audits for the next 20 years.

It's the first time the FTC has charged a company with privacy violations.

The company acknowledged in March [5] that it had erred.

Also read: Feds Charge Google 'Buzz' With Deceptive Practices; Google Admits Mistakes [5]

The company also must obtain permission from users before it shares their information with third parties in any new ways.

According to the FTC, "the settlement resolves charges that Google used deceptive tactics and violated its own privacy promises to consumers when it launched its social network, Google Buzz, in 2010."

Google agreed to the settlement in March, but a comment period was in place until the settlement became effective.