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EFF Warns Not to Use Google Desktop

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the big-brother-is-listening dept.

neelm writes "The EFF is asking users not to use the new version of Google Desktop that has a 'search across computers' option. The option will store copies of documents on your hard drive on Google servers, where the government or anyone who wants to may subpoena (i.e. no search warrants) the information. Google says it is not yet scanning the files for advertising, but it hasn't ruled out the possibility."

14 of 562 comments (clear)

  1. Come on, people! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Hey now, people, don't you know Google is GOOD, not EVIL?

    1. Re:Come on, people! by publius_jr · · Score: 2, Funny
      Here's a dumb observation:

      If you merge the little 'g' and 'l' in Google, and disregard the g's lower loop you get Goode: Google-->>Goode.

  2. file names by yincrash · · Score: 3, Funny

    are said 'files' able to be traced to certain people?

  3. In Soviet Russia, Documents Find You. by Smarty2120 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I guess if google already stored and indexed all your files then "Comrade! Where are your papers?" won't be necessary.
    Double-plus good!

    1. Re:In Soviet Russia, Documents Find You. by the-amazing-blob · · Score: 2, Funny

      You unbellyfeel the government. So now's a good time for crimestop. You'll be a goodthinker, or it's miniluv for you!

  4. FTFY Google by daemonenwind · · Score: 5, Funny

    Do Know Evil

    There, fixed that for ya.

  5. Re:Copernic by aussie_a · · Score: 4, Funny

    What OS are you using? Because there's this wonderful OS, you may have heard of it, it's called Windows 3.0, is able to search for file names. Now it may not search for a file folder, but it could. I haven't used it in some time.

  6. Re:Nani? by Leroy_Brown242 · · Score: 2, Funny

    So, what you're saying is, google is just a huge pr0n gathering opperation? :)

    --
    Pretty Pictures!
  7. Re:EFF, Shmeff by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Google slowly turning over to the dark side?

  8. You're next. by Paranoia+Agent · · Score: 2, Funny

    First they came for my email and I did not speak out because I use Thunderbird. Then they came for Word Doc's and I did not speak out because I use Open Office. Then they came for Pay Pal and I did not speak out because I use Craig's List. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.

  9. Why is desktop search necessary? by VGPowerlord · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'm beginning to think that I'm the only person who creates directory hierarchies for my documents, and names them with meaningful names.

    --
    GLaDOS for President 2016! "Well here we are again. It's always such a pleasure." -- GLaDOS, 2011
  10. Re:store copies? by MKalus · · Score: 2, Funny
    Also, is it really feasible that Google would even want to maintain a SAN Array capable of storing EVERY document for EVERY user of this thing?


    One Sentence:

    Largest Pr0n collection EVAR!!!!11111
    --
    If you want to e-mail me, use my PGP Key.
  11. Re:EFF, Shmeff by Itchy+Rich · · Score: 4, Funny

    There's a balance point to be found somewhere between naïve and paranoid.

    And we shall call it "naïvanoid".

  12. Precautionary measures by ekc · · Score: 2, Funny

    Maybe it's time to start calling some of my files "Tiananmen Square", "Falun Gong", or "Dalai Lama". That should keep at least one quarter of the world's population out of my hard drive...