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Google Changes Privacy Policy
jemecki writes "Yahoo reports that Google has updated their privacy policy on user data collection. The new policy now explicitly states that 'Google may use personal information to display customized content and advertising, develop new services and ensure that its network continues to function.' It also adds that employees who violate the policy will be fired and prosecuted. They have also added a Cliffs Notes version of their privacy policy for those who don't want to RTFPP."
I think Google is simply making their privacy policy a bit more clear. It has been known for years that, at the very least, they log the IP address and search string for every request that hits their servers.
It might be fun to have a "what has this IP adress searched for?" feature to sift thru the google logs. Then again, it might uncover some scary stuff.
In case you had a complaint and you didnt want to read the full thing...
Enforcement
Google regularly reviews its compliance with this Policy. Please feel free to direct any questions or concerns regarding this Policy or Google's treatment of personal information by contacting us through this web site or by writing to us at Privacy Matters, c/o Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, California, 94043, USA. When we receive formal written complaints at this address, it is Google's policy to contact the complaining user regarding his or her concerns. We will cooperate with the appropriate regulatory authorities, including local data protection authorities, to resolve any complaints regarding the transfer of personal data that cannot be resolved between Google and an individual.
Now, back to reality....
He who knows best knows how little he knows. - Thomas Jefferson
I mean they're walking the fine line now
Why do you say "Now"? They've always tracked user behavior, and I've always felt they were upfront about it, but maybe I'm just a fool. Why are they more evil now?
I was using Google during the Beta phase in 1999. The tracking was more obvious back then-- You held your mouse over a link, and the status bar showed something like "http://database.google.com/?q=www.playboy.com".
94% of Repubs and 21% of Dems voted to renew the Patriot Act
That is a feature in Firefox of which Google takes advantage. If you're using Firefox at work, however, you should look up how to turn off prefetching. I've read about people getting canned because the first site in the search results (even though not actively clicked on) was a pr0n site that got preloaded.
Bill Clinton: Pimp we can believe in. - The Shirt!!!
Are you sure you don't mean hand over fist?
HAND OVER FIST -- "Taking something in rapidly (usually money).This one started as 'hand over hand,' which was the way a sailor went up or down the rigging or brought in a line. In this form, the expression was familiar in the 18th century and probably earlier. The notion of gathering money in rapidly, with a fistful of coins being stowed away with one hand while the other hand reaches for more, came on (probably in the United States) in the 19th century." From "The Dictionary of Cliches" by James Rogers (Ballantine Books, New York, 1985).
I must say, though, you must have some damn talented feet.
For those who don't know, this is done by typing "about:config" in the address bar. Then filter or search for "network.prefetch-next" and set the value to false.
Don't blame me, I voted for Cthulhu.
If your point is that only the government is able to breach your rights (as your examples seems to indicate) it's a bizarre claim. If I hit you over the head and take your wallet I've breached your rights, if I short-change you at the 7-11, I've breached your rights. While governments do abuse their authority regularly, that authority is legitimately used in ensuring your rights. Against corporate entities, for example.
> I find this totally intolerable.
Understandable. Just don't use google, gmail, or anything else google related and you'll be fine. Intolerable? Hardly.
Also, don't forget to cut up your credit cards.
Like this? Our ongoing privacy efforts posted on 10/14/2005 at 04:28:00 PM on Official Google Blog.
Here's something for you to try:
Set you browser to ask for you approval before accepting cookies, now delete cookies that go with any major copanies you've visited recently.
Go to google and search for a company name.
Ex: Type in "microsoft"
What happens when the results come up?
You're prompted to accept a cookie from microsoft.com.
Now, I never even clicked the first link (which is microsoft's homepage).
Why is it that a company is now allowed to add cookies to my machine (and potentially track my web browsing) simply because I looked them up on google?
This is company name specific. I tried "k-mart" and it didn't work. But "kmart" did trigger a request to add a cookie from kmart.com