Friday, March 2, 2012

INTERNET - Google's New Privacy Policy

"Google's New Privacy Policy: Invasive, Innovative or Both?" PBS Newshour 3/1/2012

Excerpt

JEFFREY BROWN (Newshour): And we turn to a big change for one of the tech industry's giants in the debate over online privacy.

In recent weeks, Google has been alerting its more than one billion users around the world that, beginning today, the company is consolidating some 60 privacy policies of its different services into one and more closely coordinating those services into one large database.

Here's part of how the company explains it.

WOMAN: So, instead of over 60 policies for different Google products and features, we're introducing just one, with fewer words, simpler explanations and less legal goop to wade through. That means that when you use Google, from Gmail and search, to YouTube and calendar, you can count on one simplified policy that explains our privacy commitment to you.

JEFFREY BROWN: Google says the move will also allow it to better serve customers by pulling together personalized information across a variety of different sites.



COMMENT: As an IT Technician and internet user this is what I see.

First, the personal data IS collected by Google servers, so consolidating the data from all the servers makes no difference.

Second, I run Firefox browser with an Add-Blocker add-on, I can CHOOSE block any add, including Google adds. There are 3rd-party add-block utilities for your system and IE.

Then there are utilities like SUPERAntiSpyware that includes the option to remove Adware.Tracking Cookies.

You cannot protect people who leave the back door unlocked from getting robbed, the same applies to people who use the internet WITHOUT paying close attention to privacy issues involved.

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