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Google Copies Corporate Data to Google's Servers?
Penguinisto writes "According to Silicon.com, some CIOs have been seeing their company data being transferred to Google's servers as part of Google Desktop's functionality." From the article: "Mark Saysell, IT director at Coutts Retail Communications UK, said he is planning a network audit to find rogue installations, which will then be de-installed. New security measures will also be put in place to prevent further downloads. He said: 'Google has definitely over-stepped the mark and in turn is forcing IT departments to take a very draconian approach to machine security and web access.'"
I work in a bank and while I don't have files relating to customer information on my PC, I'm pretty sure I'd contravene some kind of law if I were to install Google Search & some files were transferred to Google. If I did have customer files, I'm almost certain some law would be broken if those files were sent to Google.
If CIOs or others want the kind of functionality & productivity that Google desktop search can provide, let Google sell local servers (same as they do for web search engines) so these companies can buy them and get the tools that way without the data ever leaving their networks & control.
My company now forbids using Google Desktop because of this feature.
Yes, it's off by default.
Yes, you have to go out of your way to turn it on.
Yes, they keep track of what's installed on everyone's machine.
Yes, there are ways around that -- but for safety's sake, I now use MSN's local search.
Google's product is forbidden.
So google (you listening?) -- how about local-only version for us corporate folks, with the upload option completely removed?
We get a version that can be blessed by IT, you keep your user base.
Seems like a winner to me.