Not to be a tinfoil hat type, but the privacy policy says they are monitoring and reporting usage data.
--
Log information.
When you use Google Talk, we may record information about your usage of Google Talk, such as when you use Google Talk, the size of your contact list and the contacts you communicate with, and the frequency and size of data transfers. Information displayed or clicked on in the Google Talk interface (including UI elements, settings, and other information) is also recorded. We use this information internally to deliver the best possible service to you, such as improving the Google Talk user interface and maintaining a consistent and reliable user experience. We delete all personally identifiable information from our logs after a period of time reasonably necessary to do so. We do not store any of the content of your text or voice communications in our logs.
Slashdot Mirror
Not to be a tinfoil hat type, but the privacy policy says they are monitoring and reporting usage data. -- Log information. When you use Google Talk, we may record information about your usage of Google Talk, such as when you use Google Talk, the size of your contact list and the contacts you communicate with, and the frequency and size of data transfers. Information displayed or clicked on in the Google Talk interface (including UI elements, settings, and other information) is also recorded. We use this information internally to deliver the best possible service to you, such as improving the Google Talk user interface and maintaining a consistent and reliable user experience. We delete all personally identifiable information from our logs after a period of time reasonably necessary to do so. We do not store any of the content of your text or voice communications in our logs.