Google and Privacy.....

[BobbyDing]

So a friend just sent me this link about Google's Privacy Policy.

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/320137

And I'm not sure what all the fuss is about??? I allow cookies galore on my machine and many are tracking where I go and what I put my eyes on. If G keeps and uses that info I have no issue with that. Is there more to this that I'm not getting?

(looking for facts please, not anti- G rants...Thanks).

[reggie14]

If you're not concerned about Google misusing that information, then there's no problem. But, you should probably assume Google will use that information for targeting ads. I don't think they currently do that, but it's sort of an obvious thing for Google to do with that information. Furthermore, it's information government agencies could obtain with a warrant. Although, Google has that information before- they just weren't sharing it between their apps. So, there's probably no meaningful difference there.

So I'm with you- I don't see the big deal.

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by reggie14

If you're not concerned about Google misusing that information, then there's no problem. But, you should probably assume Google will use that information for targeting ads. I don't think they currently do that, but it's sort of an obvious thing for Google to do with that information. Furthermore, it's information government agencies could obtain with a warrant. Although, Google has that information before- they just weren't sharing it between their apps. So, there's probably no meaningful difference there.

So I'm with you- I don't see the big deal.

Of course google uses it too target ads. That is what google does, and how they make they're money. Personally,I don't feel this it's bad in any way, I mean, if I spend most of my online browsing HVAC and automation sites, does it make any sense to show me a bunch of ads for femenine hygien products?

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by reggie14

If you're not concerned about Google misusing that information, then there's no problem. But, you should probably assume Google will use that information for targeting ads. I don't think they currently do that, but it's sort of an obvious thing for Google to do with that information. Furthermore, it's information government agencies could obtain with a warrant. Although, Google has that information before- they just weren't sharing it between their apps. So, there's probably no meaningful difference there.

So I'm with you- I don't see the big deal.

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

Of course google uses it too target ads. That is what google does, and how they make they're money. Personally,I don't feel this it's bad in any way, I mean, if I spend most of my online browsing HVAC and automation sites, does it make any sense to show me a bunch of ads for femenine hygien products?

I'm with Fuzzy on this one. It's not like you're not going to have the adverts on the websites you visit. I would rather have something relevant to me being shown. I do however HATE the adverts that feel they need to have the audio on by default and blast their stupidity to you and everyone in the room at the time.

Gerry

[tmiranda]

I've got other things more important to worry about than Google keeping track of what websites I go to.

[loomdog32]

Originally Posted by reggie14

If you're not concerned about Google misusing that information, then there's no problem. But, you should probably assume Google will use that information for targeting ads. I don't think they currently do that, but it's sort of an obvious thing for Google to do with that information. Furthermore, it's information government agencies could obtain with a warrant. Although, Google has that information before- they just weren't sharing it between their apps. So, there's probably no meaningful difference there.

So I'm with you- I don't see the big deal.

The first sentence says it all. While Google has not used this data for anything other than targeted ads, what will/could they use it for in the future? Why keep this information in a giant database?........

As far as it being used as it currently is, yes, I agree with the trend of this thread - in as far as I perfer ads that are relevant to the sites I visit.

[IVB]

LOL, coincidentally I wrote this google+ diatribe at 9am, didn't even notice this post until just now.

As a teaser, here's the first paragraph:

‎90% of us are hypocrites. I see various posts on both FB and here from people complaining about a loss of privacy, and how FB, Google, others (ie target/pregnancy article a few weeks ago) are collating massive amounts of data on us for the express purpose of advertising and guiding where we spend our money

[fidget]

You really should be concerned, but if you aren't then great.

Those people on Facebook who share everything are those people who aren't concerned about private. The people that I know who use Facebook have their accounts locked down pretty tight. My 75 year old mother didn't want a Facebook account unless I could lock it down, which I did, and she only uses it to keep in touch with her grandchildren.

[IVB]

thats nice, but that has nothing to do with privacy.

Facebook tracks you all over the web, even when you explicitly log out.

Whatever website grandma is looking at, Facebook knows. And it will use that to target advertising towards her. Or perhaps, her grandkids. And none of them will realize that.

Facebook is not a charity, its a business looking for a $100B or more valuation. To quote the over-used saying, if you're not paying for the product, you are the product.

[Fuzzy]

well, technically, facebook, google, et al, don't track 'everywhere' you go on the web. They track which web sites you visit that they have ads on (it's the ads on those sites that connect with their cookies to track your browsing habits).

[reggie14]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

Of course google uses it too target ads. That is what google does, and how they make they're money.

I meant I don't think Google currently uses your Chrome browsing history for targeting ads. I don't think Google currently even uses your search history for targeting ads. I think ad targeting is done solely on the basis of tracking cookies. But, it wouldn't surprise me if that changes in the relatively near future.

So why does Google keep track of all that information? If you ask them, they'll basically respond "why not?" Besides the obvious thing of someday using it for ad targeting, they've used the data they've collected to do other interesting things. For instance, the spell check/search correct feature in Google search was/is implemented using search histories.