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Google Reader Begins Sharing Private Data

Posted by kdawson on from the thought-it-was-your-data-eh dept.

Felipe Hoffa writes "One week ago Google Reader's team decided to begin showing your private data to all your GMail contacts. No need to opt-in, no way to opt-out. Complaints haven't been answered. Some users share their problems, including one family who says they won't be able to enjoy this Christmas because of this 'feature.' Will Google start doing this with all their products? You can check a summary of complaints in my journal here or browse the whole thread in Google Groups."

4 of 313 comments (clear)

  1. Ok right.... by Phil246 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Ive just had a quick check.
    There is a shared items area in my google reader, however none of my feeds are listed in there.

    that is to say - they are not shared by default.
    Granted, the feature is there but its hardly invading my privacy without me having a say in what can and cannot be displayed - and by default for me nothing is.
    1. Re:Ok right.... by ironfrost · · Score: 5, Informative

      The summary is somewhat misleading - what people are complaining about is that items in the 'shared items' area are now shared with all your gmail contacts (which automatically includes anyone with a gmail account that you have sent an email to), rather than having to manually add contacts as before.

  2. Misleading article by BlizzardandBlaze · · Score: 4, Informative

    ...No need to opt-in, no way to opt-out...

    Not exactly. According to Google:

    "You can hide items from any friend you don't want to see, and you can also opt out of sharing by removing all your shared items."

  3. Re:Tempest in a Teapot by X · · Score: 4, Informative

    Dude, it is only sharing articles that you clicked on the "share" icon for, and only with your contacts. If you never click on the share icon, nobody sees anything.

    This isn't one of those international conglomerate conspiracy theories.

    --
    sigs are a waste of space