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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."
If you'll read the fine privacy policy, you'll get a hint.
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.
Read The Fucking Privacy Policy
Bradley Holt
They have a version of their privacy policy written in plain english?
Isn't that against federal law or something?
RTFM!
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.
>
> If you'll read the fine privacy policy, you'll get a hint.
I read the fucking privacy policy, and it still didn't define RTFPP. WTF?
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.
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
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've always found that profanity is the refuge of the inarticulate motherfucker.
"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?
"They have also added a Cliffs Notes version of their privacy policy for those who don't want to RTFPP."
CliffsNotes is a registered trademark of John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Please refer to the abbreviated version as an "Executive Summary" or just a "Summary."
**This message brought to you by the "Congresspeople for Unending Corporate Profits" committee.**
"Trolls they were, but filled with the evil will of their master: a fell race..." -- J.R.R. Tolkien on Olog-hai
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.
That's it, I'm uninstalling my Google toolbar in Firefox and deleting the never-ending cookie. Guess I'll start using the dewey decimal system on the internet to look anything up. The internet is indexed properly correct?
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?
First, Google Earth. Next, your online privacy! Who knows if they'll be spying on your house to see what kind of products you might want to buy!
*puts on tinfoil hat (purchased, btw, via google AdSense)*
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
...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.
More likely, if you use google's system to DDOS itself and have a session variable set at the time, pointing to your gmail account, they'll hand that over to law enforcement in your jurisdiction .
Or even more likely, they'll notice that they have a lot of users in slovakia (for example) and install more servers there.
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
I think people have less of a concern on individual products, but the cross ties make it concerning to some people. i.e. Being able to easily identify who you are from google mail, than cross reference that with all the websites you goto, combine with froogle, google desktop and maps tends to cause people to pause for a second. Separate individual databases aren't that big of a privacy concern, sharing databases allowing one to correlate wide disparate information sources easily can have a large privacy concern (but unfortunately only those types give the most useful, targeted, pertinent information that people really are wanting).
If one wanted to get out the tin-foil hat. Life insurance company wants to check on a person to see their health history. Using the data that google currently has, they could identify you has a probable high-risk by:
Correlate you to google mail (faily easy task)
In google mail, monitor for any health related email messages (i.e. dad died of heart failure at 35)
From gmail match your IP to a person doing searches for heart disease
Using the IP identify that you recently mapped driving directions to a heart specialist
Also using your IP froogle match any product searches/purchases related to health risk
That's the tin-foil usage there, if everybody is scared of allowing the government to have databases connected (for the above reasons), than we should be as scared or even more so that a private organization has this capabilities but has no freedom of information act requirements to be held to (or other such public controls)
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.
I'm sure that was supposed to be funny. Since it wasn't, I'll assume you're just another random troll and point out that the USA Patriot act does not affect Slashdotters who call Bush a dirty bunny tickler.
Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
When applying for a job, will google HR peruse my gmail to make sure I'm the right candidate.
Follow this article to find out that Google knows:
Is Google going to become "EVIL"? Could the Media darling status eventually fade away, could the honeymoon pass, and could their stock be held to the same standards as other business (e.g. the dot-bomb model failed for a reason).... What will happen next?
Oh boy I can't wait to see. By the way, has anyone read the Gator privacy policy lately? Did Google copy a few lines?
Go ahead, flame me. I'm not trying to troll; it's just my warped sense of humor i guess.
Does this mean they've redefined "evil" too?
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.
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!
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.
If you want to not use Google services to keep your tinfoil hat pinned tightly to your head, feel free.
I am not a Google fanboi, but I am pretty positive that most any internet related use is going to identify you and pin some type of information to you.
Thats just how it is.
Whether they know your name, address, search history, email content (using online email acct), I am pretty sure that all of this at some point so going to be available to SOMEONE with continued use on the internet.
Its scary, but I don't see a way around it. I make a pretty good attempt at disguising my usage at home, but when i have an IP address and I go out on to any web site...BAM...right there I have something that can be linked back to me.
I could go to Bob's CRAZY Search engine and hope that he knows what he is doing, and go to the 12 pages that he has indexed, or I can use Google, which has been upfront with their practices about what they'll use the information for. Someone offered a Google Search > Google News > Google Email traingulation method to try and learn more about you....well, I got news for ya, all of that info can be gained from your ISP, without all the smoke and mirrors, if there are people are so inclinded to get it.
Joe 6-Pack can't get that information from your ISP, but he can't get it from Google either, and anyone who is serious enough to want to go through the trouble of tracking you that hard, Google isn't going to be their main tool in getting to your ass.
Soooo... Fire employees who aren't doing everything with the data?
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Any problem can be made unsolvable if there are enough meetings made to discuss it.
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!"
actually, corporate entities are quite capable of violating peoples rights, just like many other entities. have you ever had factories dump toxic waste upstream from your home? have you ever been wrongfully detained by private security? been monitored by some private firm (..that you know about)? been sold a dangerously faulty product? been sold a completely fraudulently advertised product? had your personal contact information sold to a dozen telemarketing companies that you do not want business with, without your knowledge? had your finances stolen by some criminal executive?
if not, can you IMAGINE any of these things POSSIBLY happening?
are you going to justify it by saying "Well, you made the CHOICE to be at the wrong place, at the wrong time" ?
what you said is just ideology, nothing more. an entity's status as "corporate" or "government" doesn't affect its ability to violate peoples humans rights.
"A non-governmental entity collecting information you provide while surfing along on this Internet-thingy, that's no breach of your rights."
so, if a "governmental" search engine were to collect information that YOU provide while you're surfing the net, for the exact same stated purpose, it's a breach of your rights? but not when a corporation does the exact same thing?
INFORMED CONSENT should be the name of the game, but isn't. so-called corporations don't have any respect for your autonomy or privacy, though. in case you haven't noticed.
the fact is, if they don't have a good transparent opt-out system, available for people who wish to continue using google, then they're just a thug. maybe a thug with a "good business sense", but a thug all the same. which is why somebody might say "i feel that this is a breach of rights." it will take more than ideology to address those concerns.
anyway, it's nice to know that google can use my personal information to "ensure that its network continues to function." yeah, right.
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