Slashdot Mirror
Google Facing FTC Fine Over Safari Privacy Breach
suraj.sun writes "Bloomberg is reporting on Google's negotiation with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission over 'how big a fine, which could amount to more than $10 million, it will have to pay for its breach of Apple's Safari browser. The fine would be the first by the FTC for a violation of Internet privacy as the agency steps up enforcement of the Web.' Last year, Google agreed to a settlement in which the FTC would monitor Google's privacy practices for an extended period of time. 'The 20-year settlement bars Google from misrepresenting how it handles user information and requires the company to follow policies that protect consumer data in new products.' This February, Google was found to be bypassing privacy controls in Safari by making the browser think a user was submitting a form, when they actually weren't. '(The code used by Google was part of its program to place the "+1" button in advertisements.) At the time, the company issued a statement saying that the circumvention wasn't intentional, but privacy groups were still quick to file complaints with the FTC over Google's actions. That was quickly followed by a class-action lawsuit and an investigation by European regulators.'"
So, what you're saying, GreatBunzinni, is that you have no evidence beyond "I post on the same website as bonch" and "I share similar opinions"?
I've got news for you, son, not everyone who disagrees with you is the same person, nor is everyone who disagrees with you paid to do so because otherwise how else can they justify posting "obviously incorrect" information. I've been on this site since registering this account from new, and I've been the same person (and never anyone else) in that time. I've posted AC on a handful of occasions, usually because I forget to login and I'm browsing on a public machine.
You can claim we're all the same person and really wish hard all you want, but it doesn't make it true. Of course, I've got no way to actually *prove* that I'm telling the truth, which is what makes an Anonymous Coward "calling me out" as a shill and sockpuppet such a brilliant tactic for you - you have no accountability or name, and no karma. You can simply spout your inaccurate information safely from the sidelines and I have no way to definitively prove you wrong, other than an appeal to common sense on the part of anyone reading this (and given we're a few posts deep in this now, who's really reading this, other than you - I assume you keep coming back to check on your "targets" since /. won't send you email notifications to an AC post. I'd wonder aloud "do you have a life?" but that's getting into ad hom territory.
I'm pro-Apple, yes - I use Apple stuff all the time. I'm also pro-Linux and pro-Open Source, and pro-Google, and even (shock horror!) pro-Android and occasionally pro-MS when they're not making my life annoying (I have some Vista machines knocking about). I use all of those things regularly (with the exception of Android - I don't use it regularly) It doesn't mean I can't criticise any one of those things without it being some sort of vast conspiracy of multiple accounts. I have criticisms and praise for all of those things listed (and more!). I thought that's what slashdot was all about? Y'know, discussion?
It's going to get awfully dull if only "approved" messages are allowed to be posted - all policed by ACs with no accountability of course!