I don't trust Google one bit...

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Google and Facebook have compiled the world's largest data bases about people ever compiled. Can you imagine if an organization like, say, the FBI needed some info about someone? Where would they look in the future???

The only Google thing I have is a gmail account for my Android phone.
 
Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
Google and Facebook have compiled the world's largest data bases about people ever compiled. Can you imagine if an organization like, say, the FBI needed some info about someone? Where would they look in the future???

The only Google thing I have is a gmail account for my Android phone.


Yep, that is why Facebook's founder, what's his face, was present at G8 summit in France not too long ago. I don't think he got invited just because he's the youngest billionaire.

Corporations and governments want to tap into this info. People saying that it's not a big deal clearly don't realize the potential this kind of information creates, otherwise nobody would be collecting it, as this stuff isn’t cheap to collect.

Edit:
I do have gmail account for my android phone, but it's limited to my contacts and calendar, which I'm not too concerned about.
 
Last edited:
This sums up my sentiments:

Quote:
Considerations
For one, realize that Google makes your life simpler. It saves you time. It saves you money. To me, the "cost" of seeing an increasingly relevant ad in my search results or next to my emails is inconsequential compared to the significant benefits that I realize using Google's products. You don't have to click on ads.

Second, realize that Google is a business. It has to monetize the different planks on its platform. It is a publicly traded company with a fiduciary responsibility to its shareholders. Along these lines, don't single out Google for this type of thing. If you think that Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Twitter, and scores of other companies don't use customer and user data in similar ways, you're grossly mistaken.

Finally, in point of fact you can opt out very simply: Don't use Google products. I can't think of a single Google product that has no substitute. Vote with your virtual feet. You can leave Google at any time.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/phil-simon...;comm_ref=false
 
BTW, I also agree that Google's new privacy policy poorly explained their intent to share data across apps/platforms et al.

Quote:
Transparency: This is a tough one. On the one hand, Google is crystal clear about the fact that they really do capture just about everything you do across their massive network. And, they let users download, correct, and delete much of the data the company is holding about them.On the other hand, the case for tying all of a user’s data together just hasn’t been communicated well. Sure, it’s nice to know that it “can provide reminders that you’re going to be late for a meeting based on your location, your calendar and an understanding of what the traffic is like that day.” But neither the mechanics nor Google’s self-regulating policies for these new features are clear. As a result, these very cool potential benefits just come across as frighteningly Orwellian.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/forrester/20...-pidm-adoption/

EDIT: The above article is well worth a read. Excellent.
 
The thing is, one should consider e-mail as the equivalent of a postcard. Trusting your service provide is just part of the equation. Any message passed via e-mail is visible to any number of mail gateways that handle that message.

Therefore, focusing on one provider really doesn't address the nature of the problem.

The solution is to simply don't send anything in an e-mail that you wouldn't write on the back of a post card and drop in the mailbox.

If you wouldn't write your SSN or CC# on a post card and mail it, then you probably shouldn't do that with your e-mail.

Switching to or from Google or any other service provider doesn't change the fundamental nature of e-mail.

The same can be said for search engines, etc.
 
They ALL do it. Google, Yahoo, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, YourSpace, TheirSpace, OurPage, social whasis, email providers, whatever- they ALL do it.

Why #1: Money. They $ell the info, one way or another. What do you think targeted advertising is?

Why #2: Because they can.

It ain't gonna stop. Ever. No matter what regulations or laws are passed, it's here to stay. The Internet just kicked it into overdrive, it's been going on for decades with credit cards, catalog purchases & other things. Here's a little example of something foolish that went on for a long time, & probably is still done now. On college/university campuses across the country, the Social Security Number was/is used as a student ID # for *Everything*. No foolin'. Whenever I pointed this out, no one was interested, & the few answers I heard amounted to "Blather Yammer." A regular paradise for ID thieves.
33.gif
 
Amazon is a great example of data mining. Went on there a few days back to look at tools, I've since gotten (emailed) ads that tell me sales on related stuff. Ditto on their homepage.

Do I care about that much? Nope. Generally when I'm shopping for stuff, I'm not that concerned for privacy. But it's just an example.

My issue is when private information in stuff like emails gets mined (ie private communication). Ive seen this on my wife's gmail, never on my other accounts.
 
The only way around being tracked is to move out to the bush, 100 miles from civilization, kill your own food and don't talk to anyone.

Can't hide from the satellites though.
 
Originally Posted By: zyxelenator
......Google will rule the world one day...
smile.gif



They already rule the city I grew up in.
 
Originally Posted By: NJC
This sums up my sentiments:

Quote:
Considerations
For one, realize that Google makes your life simpler. It saves you time. It saves you money. To me, the "cost" of seeing an increasingly relevant ad in my search results or next to my emails is inconsequential compared to the significant benefits that I realize using Google's products. You don't have to click on ads.

Second, realize that Google is a business. It has to monetize the different planks on its platform. It is a publicly traded company with a fiduciary responsibility to its shareholders. Along these lines, don't single out Google for this type of thing. If you think that Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Twitter, and scores of other companies don't use customer and user data in similar ways, you're grossly mistaken.

Finally, in point of fact you can opt out very simply: Don't use Google products. I can't think of a single Google product that has no substitute. Vote with your virtual feet. You can leave Google at any time.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/phil-simon...;comm_ref=false



Mine as well.

Simply put, you cannot control what is around you.


Gathering information should be the least of one's problems...
 
Alternatives to GOOGLE. For search there are many, but I guess that there are many on the board who are much more married to technology than I am.

I conduct most of my business via phone. When it's absolutely necessary to follow up a discussion with documentation, I use snail mail or I hand deliver a hard copy.

My emails are mostly things for which privacy is not a concern. I try not to construct large bridges over puddles which can be easily stepped over.

I guess my life and it's problems are easily defined and addressed (though not solved). I know that I do have one priority/purpose which supercedes all others (my occupation in my profile is really a stretch and written with humor).

I've tried to become a minimalist over the past decade or so. The addition of the latest technological gadgets adds little value in life for me.

But, to each his own.

I hope GOOGLE is listening.
 
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