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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."
What if Google decided to abandon the concept of privacy altogether? The stock price would double, right? With that much information on their hands, it must be darn tempting.
Isn't this basically what they were doing anyway? Using gathered data to better target ads? I mean they're walking the fine line now between good and evil. But I prefer honesty and that's what they're giving us in the terms. Now let's sit and watch to see if they "lose" our data like other notable companies have in the past.
I don't get it.
When I subscribed to the Wall Street Journal and became inundated with investment-related spam almost immediately. I suppose I should learn to RTFPP.
Why is this a YRO article? When Yahoo or MSN changes their privacy policy, is it covered in Slashdot?
Google changes their privacy policy to reflect things that YOU SHOULD ALREADY KNOW.
They track your usage and produce advertisements based on your usage. Duh. That's their whole business model people-- Google is an Advertising business first, a search engine second.
Do you really think Google needs 5000 computers to serve a website? NO--- a signifigant number of those computers are for data crunching-- what are people viewing now, what advertisements should we show them? It's called "predictive marketing", it's a more advanced version of those stupid "Direct Marketing" advertisements you get in the mail.
94% of Repubs and 21% of Dems voted to renew the Patriot Act
"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.'"
Umm, so if Google is losing money hand-over-foot, it can use 'private' information in any way it chooses if necessary to ensure that its network continues to function? I know, nitpicking and alarmist, but that clause is very vague.
"It also adds that employees who violate the policy will be fired and prosecuted."
So, any employees who does not use my personal information will get fired and prosecuted?
Sheesh! Talk about a demanding workplace!
"Trolls they were, but filled with the evil will of their master: a fell race..." -- J.R.R. Tolkien on Olog-hai
Is anyone else getting asked to accept a cookie originating from the site of the top result of a Google search before ever clicking on it?
Oh, say does that Star-Spangled Banner entwine / The myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's vine?
...then don't use their service! I personally don't like how anyone uses cookies (not just Google) so I disable cookies for all but the sites where they are absolutely required. The fact that Google collects IP addresses and browsing times is well within their rights. Its the same as when you go to a coffee shop every day and eventually the employees there come to recognize you and maybe offer a special they think you may like. (Granted, this kind of behavior is rare, but its just an example).
Just because Google can do this on an unprecedented scale doesn't mean its wrong.
That's a pretty bad bummer if somene XSScripted/trojaned/hacked 'you' (i.e. your computer) into doing so. If this happens, how do "you" (i.e. organic lifeform) prove "you" didn't intend to sign anything?
The Hacker's Guide To The Kernel: Don't panic()!
I know I have searched for things that if connected could imply part of my (and my girlfriend's) medical history.
That seems to never get addressed.
"I'd rather be a lightning rod than a seismometer." -Ken Kesey
They will not use your personal information except to "ensure that its network continues to function"
Haha, what they mean is that if one day they're low on cash, they need some new servers to handle a spike in traffic . . . they're guarenteeing they'll take your personal data and do whatever's necessary to get the money to keep the place running.
xkcd.com - a webcomic of mathematics, love, and language.
i sent this to google's 'contact us' link on its new privacy policy page :
... after our heads are chopped!
thought others might be interested:
**** start of email to google:
With regard to your new 'Privacy Policy' of Oct, 2005, and specificlly regarding this paragraph:
"If Google becomes involved in a merger, acquisition, or any form of sale of some or all of its assets, we will provide notice before personal information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy."
We must take great excption! Your words merely imply that you will "notify" us , not that you will allow any 'opt-out' . You seem to have further enshrined what is a massive threat to the privacy of all citizens.
Try again, google.
*** end of email to google
Please observe that our data is daily being added as a 'marketable asset' of google, vastly increasing its value in any future acquisition/merger/sale of the company!. Nowhere in the Privacy Policy does it say that we can opt-out of having our info given to any new owner! yes , we'd be 'informed'
I find this totally intolerable.
"There are 11 kinds of people: those who know binary, those who don't, and those who could not care less!"