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EPIC Urges FTC To Investigate Google Services

Posted by Soulskill on from the might-as-well-set-up-shop-at-the-googleplex dept.

snydeq writes "The Electronic Privacy Information Center filed a 15-page complaint asking the FTC to force Google to stop offering online services that collect data until the presence of adequate privacy safeguards is verified. The EPIC also wants Google to disclose all data loss or breach incidents, citing several incidents where data held by Google was at risk, the most recent of which occurred earlier this month with its Google Docs. The EPIC complaint [PDF] also listed other security flaws in Gmail and Google Desktop, a desktop indexing program, and urged Google to donate $5 million to a public fund that will support research into technologies such as encryption, data anonymization and mobile location privacy." EPIC has raised privacy concerns about Google before, and about Windows XP as well.

5 of 111 comments (clear)

  1. "Beta" apps? by ryane67 · · Score: 4, Informative

    Does it make any difference that many of these Google services are free and "in beta"? (didnt read the filing)

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    ?SYNTAX ERROR IN LINE 42
    1. Re:"Beta" apps? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      Why yes. Beta apps are allowed to suck

  2. good by geekoid · · Score: 4, Informative

    " The EPIC also wants Google to disclose all data loss or breach incidents, citing several incidents where data held by Google was at risk,..."

    Good, I hope they get their way.
    However, if Google s forced to do that, I suspect there efforts to be better at privacy will make the 5 millin dollar donation unnecessary.

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    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  3. Re:Could always try NOT using those services by b4dc0d3r · · Score: 4, Informative

    You'll end up using Google one way or another. Google Analytics, Adsense, or other advertising. Or the default search bar on a browser. Or a google map someone sends you for directions, or embedded in a real estate page. You can't avoid it, and at some point they will put enough of a picture together, with their Phorm-like data mining.

    Not using Google is not an option, even if you try to avoid it. Disable JavaScript and third-party cookies, never search for anything... you could TRY not using them but won't get you very far.

  4. Cluestick by Omega · · Score: 5, Informative

    Wait. You mean Google is taking the data I'm storing for free on their servers mining it for information to use in contextual advertising just like I agreed to in the terms and conditions when I signed up?

    And also, I want a pony.