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Google Changes Privacy Policy 214
jemecki writes "Yahoo reports that Google has updated their privacy policy on user data collection. The new policy now explicitly states that 'Google may use personal information to display customized content and advertising, develop new services and ensure that its network continues to function.' It also adds that employees who violate the policy will be fired and prosecuted. They have also added a Cliffs Notes version of their privacy policy for those who don't want to RTFPP."
privacy smivacy (Score:5, Insightful)
I don't leave my house without my tinfoiled hat firmly in place, but I could care less about privacy policies. Especially those that require my signature. I will probably stop signing those, but I haven't felt like getting into it with the person who cannot see past the point that there is no point in agreeing or signing a "policy" that clearly says "I can change the rules at any time without notifying you".
Signing something like that is ignorant in my opinion because signing something implies agreement, and agreeing to an openended and potentially radically different terms doesn't seem much like an agreement to me.
I think that all of us should get together with a lawyer and create our own privacy statement and ask others to sign it, and not the other way around.
Re:privacy smivacy (Score:5, Insightful)
"By visiting this site, you agree to everything we want now and everything we will want in the future. This agreement is entirely legally binding because we said so and no one will ever test us on it."
Google prefetching top hit? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Google prefetching top hit? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Google prefetching top hit? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:privacy smivacy (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:privacy smivacy (Score:2)
It's even simpler-- block cookies entirely, or only allow cookies for the session. If you're hardcore, use a session anonymizer like Tor/Privoxy.
Tracking by IP has severe flaws. Most DSL & Cable users have a Dynamic IP, and a thousand other people have used that Dynamic IP.
Re:privacy smivacy (Score:2)
Cookies (Score:3, Informative)
Set you browser to ask for you approval before accepting cookies, now delete cookies that go with any major copanies you've visited recently.
Go to google and search for a company name.
Ex: Type in "microsoft"
What happens when the results come up?
You're prompted to accept a cookie from microsoft.com.
Now, I never even clicked the first link (which is microsoft's homepage).
Why is it that a company is now allowed to add cookies to my machine (and potentially track my web browsing)
Re:privacy smivacy (Score:2)
you cannot sign in cyberspace (at least not without a graphics tablet...).
puts EULAs into a new perspective, doesn't it?
software doesn't require a license, regardless of how many software industry shills tell you otherwise. same thing for web sites, but the only difference is that web "software" can change at any time and your data is constantly being transmitted to some database. in that case, they have all the power, even more so when you're under the illusion of
Re:privacy smivacy (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:privacy smivacy (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:privacy smivacy (Score:2, Insightful)
HOW LONG DOES GOOGLE KEEP THE DATA??? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:HOW LONG DOES GOOGLE KEEP THE DATA??? (Score:2)
The cookie they set expires in 2038 or something like that, the exact date escapes me.
Re:HOW LONG DOES GOOGLE KEEP THE DATA??? (Score:2)
Re:HOW LONG DOES GOOGLE KEEP THE DATA??? (Score:2)
And that is precisely why I don't accept cookies from Google... you should try it out sometimes... pretty easy to configure (if you're using FFox... got no idea about IE).
Re:HOW LONG DOES GOOGLE KEEP THE DATA??? (Score:2)
I know the ins and outs of my employer's backup system as well as anyone I'd wager, and conclusively deleting a single file, much less any data about a person would probably be days of work going through ou
Just like workplace policies (Score:2)
This is written, in one form or another, in most employment agreements as well. Basically saying 'We can do whatever we want, when we want, no questions asked.'
But if you don't sign, you don't get to join/play/use/work.
Re:privacy smivacy (Score:2, Funny)
Re:privacy smivacy (Score:2)
Wait... wait (Score:5, Funny)
Isn't that against federal law or something?
Re:Wait... wait (Score:2, Funny)
You can always have Babelfish translate [altavista.com].
What if? (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:What if? (Score:4, Insightful)
With only about a third of the search market, they are nowhere near a monopoly and do not wield much control over the market, if any. There are other search engines that, although not as good as Google, are certainly "good enough".Users could and would quickly flock to alternates. They don't hold a monopoly in any other market either - not blog sites, not online mapping, not free mail services, etc.
Re:What if? (Score:2)
Re:What if? (Score:2)
MS is trying to choke off google's air supply by going after AOL and other advertisers. If you were an advertiser who would you go for?
Google which will not give you third part info or Microsoft which would? My guess is MS is going to give away free copies of Windows and Office as well and how can google compete agaisnt this?
Its just what google needs to stay
Known for years (Score:5, Informative)
It might be fun to have a "what has this IP adress searched for?" feature to sift thru the google logs. Then again, it might uncover some scary stuff.
Re:Known for years (Score:5, Funny)
2001-09-11 20:05:33 EDT [63.161.169.137] "where is dick cheney"
2001-09-12 09:23:00 EDT [63.161.169.137] "tony blair" +funny +english +dude -gay
2001-10-03 22:44:11 EDT [63.161.169.137] "where is iraq"
2001-10-05 12:06:15 EDT [63.161.169.137] "where is texas"
Re:Known for years (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Known for years (Score:5, Informative)
I'm not saying this is wrong--- thousands of websites do this same thing. The data is only useful in aggregate anyways-- there aren't many business reasons to look at an individual's browsing habits. There are valid business reasons to look at a GROUP of browsing habits.
Re:Known for years (Score:3, Insightful)
If your business is insurance, it makes all kinds of business sense to identify individuals who look up high risk symptoms, for example.
Re:Known for years (Score:3, Insightful)
Unless you count lobbying -- or, perhaps in a less civilized but more honest term, blackmailing -- a "business interest." Google has enough information to blackmail pretty much anyone worth blackmailing.
Re:Known for years (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Known for years (Score:2)
Re:Known for years (Score:4, Informative)
If you keep your own webserver logs and the users don't hide their referrer strings (99% of them don't) then you could do that on your own website from the numerous search engines.
I could only imagine what data large sites can come up with from the information passed during searches. Hell, it absolutely amazes me on my little tiny site and I only get about 100k hits a month.
Medical information (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Medical information (Score:3, Insightful)
They can work out that you're *interested* in a topic. And they can perhaps guess that you *might* suffer some medical problem. But considering the number of time
Re:Medical information (Score:2)
Re:Medical information (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Medical information (Score:2)
Rocky Road as opposed to Slippery Slope (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Rocky Road as opposed to Slippery Slope (Score:3, Informative)
Why do you say "Now"? They've always tracked user behavior, and I've always felt they were upfront about it, but maybe I'm just a fool. Why are they more evil now?
I was using Google during the Beta phase in 1999. The tracking was more obvious back then-- You held your mouse over a link, and the status bar showed something like "http://database.google.com/?q=www.playboy.com".
Still not as bad as... (Score:5, Interesting)
Duh? (Score:5, Interesting)
Google changes their privacy policy to reflect things that YOU SHOULD ALREADY KNOW.
They track your usage and produce advertisements based on your usage. Duh. That's their whole business model people-- Google is an Advertising business first, a search engine second.
Do you really think Google needs 5000 computers to serve a website? NO--- a signifigant number of those computers are for data crunching-- what are people viewing now, what advertisements should we show them? It's called "predictive marketing", it's a more advanced version of those stupid "Direct Marketing" advertisements you get in the mail.
Re:Duh? (Score:4, Insightful)
They probably still have a large number of machines dedicated to datamining as well, but don't underestimate the computing power necessary to power a large search engine.
Re:Duh? (Score:2)
I only meant to imply that only SOME of the machines at their massive server farm are actually used as the actual frontend webservers.
A signifigant number are used for heavier applications, such as indexing or datamining.
Re:Duh? (Score:2)
"To serve a web site." Right. A website which just happens to provide access to arguably the largest searchable index of the web available.
"Do you really think that t
Re:Duh? (Score:4, Insightful)
Um, yes? Google is probably the most-visited site on the internet. Millions of requests per second would be reasonable. I'd be suprised if they were only running off 5000 boxes.
Actually, I attended a Google presentation awhile back that gave some general information on how requests are handled. Apparently, for each search a user makes, it's processed by around 100 boxes for search results alone.
Now don't get me wrong, Google collects processes advertising data without question. It's just they also process a huge amount of other data, too. We're not talking about an advertisement company that happens to let you search the web.
Re:Duh? (Score:2)
Actually MSN and Yahoo are still ahead of Google as per the latest Nielsen rankings...
Re:Duh? (Score:2)
That would actually be Yahoo, followed by MSN, then Google.
http://www.alexa.com/site/ds/top_sites?ts_mode=la
Uh-oh :) (Score:3, Interesting)
Umm, so if Google is losing money hand-over-foot, it can use 'private' information in any way it chooses if necessary to ensure that its network continues to function? I know, nitpicking and alarmist, but that clause is very vague.
"It also adds that employees who violate the policy will be fired and prosecuted."
So, any employees who does not use my personal information will get fired and prosecuted?
Sheesh! Talk about a demanding workplace!
Well, duuuuh. (Score:5, Insightful)
Copyright (Score:5, Funny)
CliffsNotes is a registered trademark of John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Please refer to the abbreviated version as an "Executive Summary" or just a "Summary."
**This message brought to you by the "Congresspeople for Unending Corporate Profits" committee.**
Re:Copyright (Score:2)
Re:Copyright (Score:2)
Bye bye Gooooogle (Score:4, Funny)
I knew it! (Score:3, Funny)
*puts on tinfoil hat (purchased, btw, via google AdSense)*
Google complaint department (Score:3, Informative)
Enforcement
Google regularly reviews its compliance with this Policy. Please feel free to direct any questions or concerns regarding this Policy or Google's treatment of personal information by contacting us through this web site or by writing to us at Privacy Matters, c/o Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, California, 94043, USA. When we receive formal written complaints at this address, it is Google's policy to contact the complaining user regarding his or her concerns. We will cooperate with the appropriate regulatory authorities, including local data protection authorities, to resolve any complaints regarding the transfer of personal data that cannot be resolved between Google and an individual.
Now, back to reality....
Re:Google complaint department (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Google complaint department (Score:2)
Noone has time in this fast-paced world to read disclaimers and end-user agreements any more.
Re:Google complaint department (Score:2)
If you don't like the terms... (Score:2, Interesting)
Just becau
Same old stuff... (Score:2)
1) Google admits that your search terms are saved along with your unique cookie ID and your IP address, and a time/date stamp. However, they spin this by suggesting that it's merely part of the normal logging process. The question is this: To what extent does Google parse out and database this information for future reference and easy access?
2) Does Google have any data retention policies for various types of data, or do they ke
Funny... (Score:4, Insightful)
Will google HR peruse my gmail? (Score:2, Funny)
in comes the scary music... (Score:4, Funny)
Oh boy I can't wait to see. By the way, has anyone read the Gator privacy policy lately? Did Google copy a few lines?
Go ahead, flame me. I'm not trying to troll; it's just my warped sense of humor i guess.
"Ensure that its network continues to function" (Score:4, Interesting)
Haha, what they mean is that if one day they're low on cash, they need some new servers to handle a spike in traffic . . . they're guarenteeing they'll take your personal data and do whatever's necessary to get the money to keep the place running.
This is Yahoo, remember (Score:5, Insightful)
So in essence: google are still promising not to sell your details; they've clarified their policy against employees selling it on (they're anti-) and they've made the document easier to read. On the minus side, they've failed to provide information that Yahoo! don't provide either. Which seems to be about as evil as Google gets.
Of course, Yahoo does have a vested interest here. Maybe we should take this with a pinch of salt?
If you use the net, you're going to be tracked... (Score:3, Insightful)
I am not a Google fanboi, but I am pretty positive that most any internet related use is going to identify you and pin some type of information to you.
Thats just how it is.
Whether they know your name, address, search history, email content (using online email acct), I am pretty sure that all of this at some point so going to be available to SOMEONE with continued use on the internet.
Its scary, but I don't see a way around it. I make a pretty good attempt at disguising my usage at home, but when i have an IP address and I go out on to any web site...BAM...right there I have something that can be linked back to me.
I could go to Bob's CRAZY Search engine and hope that he knows what he is doing, and go to the 12 pages that he has indexed, or I can use Google, which has been upfront with their practices about what they'll use the information for. Someone offered a Google Search > Google News > Google Email traingulation method to try and learn more about you....well, I got news for ya, all of that info can be gained from your ISP, without all the smoke and mirrors, if there are people are so inclinded to get it.
Joe 6-Pack can't get that information from your ISP, but he can't get it from Google either, and anyone who is serious enough to want to go through the trouble of tracking you that hard, Google isn't going to be their main tool in getting to your ass.
Google enshrines an invasive polilcy! (Score:3, Interesting)
thought others might be interested:
**** start of email to google:
With regard to your new 'Privacy Policy' of Oct, 2005, and specificlly regarding this paragraph:
"If Google becomes involved in a merger, acquisition, or any form of sale of some or all of its assets, we will provide notice before personal information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy."
We must take great excption! Your words merely imply that you will "notify" us , not that you will allow any 'opt-out' . You seem to have further enshrined what is a massive threat to the privacy of all citizens.
Try again, google.
*** end of email to google
Please observe that our data is daily being added as a 'marketable asset' of google, vastly increasing its value in any future acquisition/merger/sale of the company!. Nowhere in the Privacy Policy does it say that we can opt-out of having our info given to any new owner! yes , we'd be 'informed'
I find this totally intolerable.
Re:Google enshrines an invasive polilcy! (Score:2, Informative)
Understandable. Just don't use google, gmail, or anything else google related and you'll be fine. Intolerable? Hardly.
Also, don't forget to cut up your credit cards.
Evil Google... (Score:2)
Re:Ok- I'll bite... (Score:5, Funny)
If you'll read the fine privacy policy, you'll get a hint.
Re:Ok- I'll bite... (Score:5, Funny)
>
> If you'll read the fine privacy policy, you'll get a hint.
I read the fucking privacy policy, and it still didn't define RTFPP. WTF?
Re:Ok- I'll bite... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Ok- I'll bite... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Ok- I'll bite... (Score:2)
Re:Ok- I'll bite... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Ok- I'll bite... (Score:2, Insightful)
Soooo... Fire employees who aren't doing everything with the data?
Re:Big Brother (Score:2)
Um, does all of my Gmail count?
Re:Big Brother (Score:5, Insightful)
What rights are you referring to? This is a SERVICE. You are free to CHOOSE not to use the service. Why do "feel" your rights are being violated by a company that you can choose not to give your business to?
Re:Big Brother (Score:5, Insightful)
Taking away your gun is a breach of your rights. Incarcerating you for standing on a soapbox shouting 'Bush is a Dirty Bunny Tickler' is a breach of your rights. A non-governmental entity collecting information you provide while surfing along on this Internet-thingy, that's no breach of your rights. Don't use Google. Don't surf the Internet-thingy. Use cash.
If the government forces you to use Google, or Google develops a monopoly on whatever the hell it does in an unfair manner, then let's have this conversation again. But now, today? Ain't no rights-breachin' goin' on here.
Now, the fact that Google seems to edge ever closer to The Dark Side (at least in the eyes of its Slashdot fanboy faithful) is certainly a daily source of amusement to me, but as for actual rights breaching? Wow. I'm not even sure they, as a corporate and not a governmental entity, are even capable of doing that.
Re:Big Brother (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Big Brother (Score:2, Informative)
Thank You! (Score:2)
Re: is Informed Consent a right? (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Big Brother (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Big Brother (Score:2)
You say this:
I feel this is a breach of our rights.
And then say:
But having said that, what personal information have you actually sent to Google (searching habits excluded)?
If you don't know what they are collecting, and are asking instead of reading the Policy, how can you say this is a breach of your rights?
Re:Big Brother (Score:2, Insightful)
Follow this article [b10m.net] to find out that Google knows:
Re:Big Brother -- pr0n habits... (Score:2)
on the other hand, having Mom and Dad find out that you've been surfing for pr0n on your shared cable-internet connection is gonna suck big time, when the Google search page comes up for them with "would you like to see 'Nerdy Hoes' again, Professor Falken?"...
Re:Big Brother (Score:2)
How, exactly? Where in the US (or any other) constitution is your "right" to use a privately owned service for free specified?
If you don't like the privacy policy, don't use Google services.
Re:Big Brother (Score:2)
Re:Right..... (Score:3, Insightful)
Or even more likely, they'll notice that they have a lot of users in slovakia (for example) and install more servers there.
Re:not so bad (Score:4, Insightful)
If one wanted to get out the tin-foil hat. Life insurance company wants to check on a person to see their health history. Using the data that google currently has, they could identify you has a probable high-risk by:
Correlate you to google mail (faily easy task)
In google mail, monitor for any health related email messages (i.e. dad died of heart failure at 35)
From gmail match your IP to a person doing searches for heart disease
Using the IP identify that you recently mapped driving directions to a heart specialist
Also using your IP froogle match any product searches/purchases related to health risk
That's the tin-foil usage there, if everybody is scared of allowing the government to have databases connected (for the above reasons), than we should be as scared or even more so that a private organization has this capabilities but has no freedom of information act requirements to be held to (or other such public controls)
Re:not so bad (Score:2)
I work for a life insurance company. (No, I won't name it, and I'm not speaking on behalf of them in any way.) If we tried anything of the sort, we'd get sued into oblivion. Insurers have to be very careful about making sure that every bit of information we have on file has been personally aut
Re:not so bad (Score:2)
I'm not completely versed on it, but I'm not sure that this falls under hippa. As we aren't really talking about information sharing with health agencie
Re:not so bad (Score:2)
Nothing to do with Yahoo (Score:2)
Why is Google all of the sudden exempt from all the privacy criticisms that everyone else gets mad about?
Re:I wish these companies would blog their changes (Score:2, Informative)