Slashdot Mirror
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 don't leave my house without my tinfoiled hat firmly in place, but I could care less about privacy policies. Especially those that require my signature. I will probably stop signing those, but I haven't felt like getting into it with the person who cannot see past the point that there is no point in agreeing or signing a "policy" that clearly says "I can change the rules at any time without notifying you".
Signing something like that is ignorant in my opinion because signing something implies agreement, and agreeing to an openended and potentially radically different terms doesn't seem much like an agreement to me.
I think that all of us should get together with a lawyer and create our own privacy statement and ask others to sign it, and not the other way around.
No kidding. They will use information collected about users to target advertising. That is the price you pay to use thier free email service, search service, desktop, etc. As long as they keep that private infomration within google, then fine. Looks like I will be RTFPP tonight.
"I feel this is a breach of our rights"
What rights are you referring to? This is a SERVICE. You are free to CHOOSE not to use the service. Why do "feel" your rights are being violated by a company that you can choose not to give your business to?
I feel this is a breach of our rights.
Taking away your gun is a breach of your rights. Incarcerating you for standing on a soapbox shouting 'Bush is a Dirty Bunny Tickler' is a breach of your rights. A non-governmental entity collecting information you provide while surfing along on this Internet-thingy, that's no breach of your rights. Don't use Google. Don't surf the Internet-thingy. Use cash.
If the government forces you to use Google, or Google develops a monopoly on whatever the hell it does in an unfair manner, then let's have this conversation again. But now, today? Ain't no rights-breachin' goin' on here.
Now, the fact that Google seems to edge ever closer to The Dark Side (at least in the eyes of its Slashdot fanboy faithful) is certainly a daily source of amusement to me, but as for actual rights breaching? Wow. I'm not even sure they, as a corporate and not a governmental entity, are even capable of doing that.
You probably ought not to be complaining before reading the full thing, anyway.
Some people act like internet sites are the only people collecting personal data. Did you ever use a "Club Card"? Heck, credit card companies have been giving away your personal information for decades based on your spending habits. We shouldn't pick on targeted internet ads like it's a new problem, its just a whole lot cheaper than mass mailing samples of toilet paper to a million people - this way than can target only those that wipe.
--Insert profound quote here.
So in essence: google are still promising not to sell your details; they've clarified their policy against employees selling it on (they're anti-) and they've made the document easier to read. On the minus side, they've failed to provide information that Yahoo! don't provide either. Which seems to be about as evil as Google gets.
Of course, Yahoo does have a vested interest here. Maybe we should take this with a pinch of salt?
Don't let THEM immanentize the Eschaton!