Thursday, March 1st 2012

Governments Take On Google Over User Monitoring

Authorities from various countries, are suiting up to take on Google over its controversial "One Google, One Policy", which is in effect from today, which its critics call as being invasive to privacy. "Under the new policy," DailyTech writes, "Google will do away with separate privacy agreements and individual collection of data in its various products. In its place will be a single mass monitoring/data mining apparatus, which will collect sensitive information including location, interests, age, sexual orientation, sexual habits, relationship status, religion, political views, health concerns, employment status, and more."

Google's implementation of the new policy has been faced with opposition from French authorities, who sent an open letter to Google CEO Larry Page asking for technical details of how Google plans to collect and use user data. The letter notes that the new policy "does not meet the requirements of the European Directive on Data Protection, especially regarding the information provided to data subjects." Across the Atlantic, in the US, Attorneys General of various states expressed concerns and voiced criticism over the new policy.
Source: DailyTech
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24 Comments on Governments Take On Google Over User Monitoring

#1
Bo$$
Lab Extraordinaire
fucking google is aiming for world domination...
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#2
Wrigleyvillain
PTFO or GTFO
There is a settings change that can be made to "opt out" of this that they mentioned on the news but I forget the details. Guess I'll Google it...lol.
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#3
Prima.Vera
Google=Real Big Brother.

Microsoft=Little Sister...
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#4
btarunr
Editor & Senior Moderator
I think I fried my ironymeter when I first read governments and google fighting over the latter monitoring people.
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#5
WhiteLotus
In before, "Fuck Europe and their laws"
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#6
BlackOmega
Looks like I won't be using Google anymore.
Posted on Reply
#7
Kreij
Senior Monkey Moderator
btarunrI think I fried my ironymeter when I first read governments and google fighting over the latter monitoring people.
Governments : What you are doing isn't right !!
Google : Why?
Governments : Because spying on people is our job.

So true, Bta ... irony at its finest.
Posted on Reply
#8
trickson
OH, I have such a headache
There is NO privacy any more. What is the big deal? You have all let this happen! You have NO one to blame but your selves.
I see it like this. We have the power to use what we use, When you let things like FB, Myspace and other social networks run your life and use Google and Yahoo and search engines to do every thing for you on s"Smart Phone" and GPS tracking what did you think was going to happen? You put up with it and they took advantage of the tech at hand and NOW all the sudden you all think this is invasion of privacy? You have NO rights, No more freedom of speech, No more Freedom of Will. You do what that commercial tells you to do. You do what the Governments tell you to do. You no longer Question there actions, You no longer stand up and fight for freedom. They took that from you. And now you see this all as an invasion of privacy? Suck it up or get off the Internet. There is NO privacy here and no one cares. Till they start to watch you in your home, Taking a crap or jacking off or doing the things you do not want any one knowing you do, Like putting on your wife's underpants or Sniffing them. NO privacy is GONE! Nothing is secret any more, WE KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING!
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#9
NC37
tricksonLike putting on your wife's underpants or Sniffing them. NO privacy is GONE! Nothing is secret any more, WE KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING!
I think that should be your custom title. Sniffer of Underpants :D
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#10
rpsgc
KreijGovernments : What you are doing isn't right !!
Google : Why?
Governments : Because spying on people is our job.

So true, Bta ... irony at its finest.
So you'd rather have your info on the hands of a private corporation rather than a national government?


Say what you will about the government (of any country), at least you won't see them selling your info to third parties.
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#11
trickson
OH, I have such a headache
NC37I think that should be your custom title. Sniffer of Underpants :D
LOL no I do not think so. LOL. :laugh:
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#12
NC37
tricksonLOL no I do not think so. LOL. :laugh:
I'd so do it!! :laugh:
Posted on Reply
#13
btarunr
Editor & Senior Moderator
rpsgcSo you'd rather have your info on the hands of a private corporation rather than a national government?


Say what you will about the government (of any country), at least you won't see them selling your info to third parties.
Governments sell citizens' info to private businesses everywhere, Norway-thru-China.
  • Government/the state: Has guns, jails, and the ability to hang you. It knows all about you, And it gets to sell your info to third parties, if they lobby well enough with the politicians, without necessarily paying a dime to the national exchequer.
  • Google: Lacks guns and nukes, it sells your info to third parties. But You opted to use it voluntarily.
When you live in Portugal, you conform to the Portuguese constitution. When you use Google's free services, you conform to its policies. What part of that sounds "unfair"?
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#14
AsRock
TPU addict
WrigleyvillainThere is a settings change that can be made to "opt out" of this that they mentioned on the news but I forget the details. Guess I'll Google it...lol.
But let me guess it's default is on ?. So mr or miss average would not know.. And it's crazy how people trust google with any thing they did not get this big being concerned about anyone's privicy.

Any thing google is blocked on our house they can data mine other peoples asses..
Posted on Reply
#15
Brewster0101
KreijGovernments : What you are doing isn't right !!
Google : Why?
Governments : Because spying on people is our job.
Think governments are upset because Google can spy on us easier and more effectively than they can. Think its all about jealousy :laugh:
Posted on Reply
#16
AsphyxiA
What I find funny about the whole thing with these people bitching and complaining is that the policy really hasn't changed much, other than the way they collect the data. I know some people who work for Google. What they have told me is that it really just makes it easier to display ads that are more relevant to the browser's interests, nothing more.
Posted on Reply
#17
trickson
OH, I have such a headache
AsphyxiAWhat I find funny about the whole thing with these people bitching and complaining is that the policy really hasn't changed much, other than the way they collect the data. I know some people who work for Google. It really just makes it easier to display ads that are more relevant to the browser's interests.
What really sucks is the the internet has become one huge commercial! Every time I view some web page I see adds all over the place! Don't I get enough of that crap with the TV I watch? Man I would love to just have a place I can go where I am not inundated with buy this buy that look at the savings you will get, Buy my insurance! Good lord enough is enough! No I do not want your cell phone! No I do not need to enlarge my penis!
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#18
AsphyxiA
then use adblock and no script and be done with it:pimp:

Which is exactly what I am talking about. Instead of displaying adds about new phones and penis enlargement, they send you ads about the latest "Star Trek" movie.
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#19
Covert_Death
wow i think people are overeating a tad Google had access to all this information before, nothing is new, it just makes it easier for them to associate them to each other now. if you don't want Google knowing this info about you, you never should have been using any of there services to begin with. personally i'm all for it because the worst that ever happens with Google knowing about me is targeted adds, you can cry conspiracy all you want but Google is just in it to make money which it does by ads, so the worst that happens is ads appeal more to me, if i ever disable ad-blocker that is.
Posted on Reply
#20
trickson
OH, I have such a headache
AsphyxiAthen use adblock and no script and be done with it:pimp:

Which is exactly what I am talking about. Instead of displaying adds about new phones and penis enlargement, they send you ads about the latest "Star Trek" movie.
LOL. But see I do not need them sending me any information at all. If I want information I can find what I need for myself I do not need or want Google deciding this for me. Know what I mean? I do not want things "Tailored" for me. I have eyes, I have a brain I know what I want, I do not NEED them showing me what I want because they think since I bought a pair of shoes all the sudden that is all I want or need. I buy shoes maybe once ever 6 years! Or a pair of BBQ Tongs, Know what I am getting at here?
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#21
Covert_Death
tricksonLOL. But see I do not need them sending me any information at all. If I want information I can find what I need for myself I do not need or want Google deciding this for me. Know what I mean? I do not want things "Tailored" for me. I have eyes, I have a brain I know what I want, I do not NEED them showing me what I want because they think since I bought a pair of shoes all the sudden that is all I want or need. I buy shoes maybe once ever 6 years! Or a pair of BBQ Tongs, Know what I am getting at here?
they are a business though, you would not be able to use any of there services if they did not do adds. they advertisements are going to be there regardless. but perhaps instead of being women's purses it will be computer hardware. what is the big deal in this?
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#22
trickson
OH, I have such a headache
Covert_Deaththey are a business though, you would not be able to use any of there services if they did not do adds. they advertisements are going to be there regardless. but perhaps instead of being women's purses it will be computer hardware. what is the big deal in this?
Yeah that is the big problem. Every thing is a business. Even FB has morphed into an industry. One reason I deleted my FB account. It is a problem for me in the sense that they know best and I need some one to think for me. I have a brain When I go into the store do I need some clerk telling me to get this product or think for me and go get every thing they think I need or even want? NO!
Posted on Reply
#23
AsphyxiA
tricksonLOL. But see I do not need them sending me any information at all. If I want information I can find what I need for myself I do not need or want Google deciding this for me. Know what I mean? I do not want things "Tailored" for me. I have eyes, I have a brain I know what I want, I do not NEED them showing me what I want because they think since I bought a pair of shoes all the sudden that is all I want or need. I buy shoes maybe once ever 6 years! Or a pair of BBQ Tongs, Know what I am getting at here?
I do see what you are getting at here. I do have a brain, eyes, etc as well. But like the previous poster said and what I am trying to reinforce is that they are only streamlining their policies to include everything in their application bin, it just makes sense. Now for people like me and you who know what they want and do not necessarily need someone to say "Hey, you like Volkswagen's and custom wheels? Checkout this set of BBS CH's @ 18" for only 1500!" But for the general population, this will be a "god send," because google will tailor adds for people, and they'll make more money doing it because more people will flock to ads that are more relevant to their interests. If you don't want the ads, don't use google products or, like I said before, turn on AdBlock and NoScript.
Posted on Reply
#24
Covert_Death
tricksonYeah that is the big problem. Every thing is a business. Even FB has morphed into an industry. One reason I deleted my FB account. It is a problem for me in the sense that they know best and I need some one to think for me. I have a brain When I go into the store do I need some clerk telling me to get this product or think for me and go get every thing they think I need or even want? NO!
but they do it anyway, any store you go to, a floor salesman will try to sell you something... what would you rather take those ad spots ? they are going to be there regardless because of the WEBMASTER so what is the harm in having them guess what you would be more likely to buy??? they aren't thinking for you lol they are trying to show you things more related to who they THINK you are based on the way you behave online. i really just don't see the harm in this... in all honesty, i'd rather be advertised mens suits because i bought ONE suit then have them just throw random crap at me like womens hair products....
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