in a similar vein to the SOPA stuff of a few weeks ago and the pseudonym battles between some virtual world folks (self included) and Facebook and Google+, the new single, all encompassing, mine-you-deeper-and-harder-than-ever-before policy changes might actually violate an FTC settlement last year!
read it for yourself: Make FTC Act Against Google, Privacy Advocates Ask Court
As quoted in the article “The settlement … requires Google to obtain users’ consent before disclosing their personal data …” Yet EPIC has stated “Google’s recent announcement that the company intends to consolidate users’ personal information without individuals’ consent violates the consent order …”.
I don’t understand how EPIC can interpret consolidation of information as being disclosure of information.
Sarge Misfit
8 Feb 12 at 1:01 pm
it’s like when Linden Lab changes its TOS – you have to agree to it to log into Second Life. if you don’t agree, then you can’t access your stuff, including exporting anything that is yours and legit to export
Google is pretty strong regarding pseudonyms too:
Impersonate another person (via the use of an email address or otherwise) or otherwise misrepresent yourself or the source of any email
…create user accounts by automated means or under false or fraudulent pretenses
https://mail.google.com/mail/help/program_policies.html
Ener Hax
8 Feb 12 at 3:21 pm
The new “privacy” policy is one of the reasons I’m leaving my gmail account
ELQ
8 Feb 12 at 3:31 pm
Doesn’t G+ now allow the use of pseudonyms? (I don’t use G+, btw) The tricky point is whether or not I am misrepresenting myself by using the pseudonym Sarge Misfit.
And I did read in Boing Boing that the new privacy policy is pretty good, though with a big flaw ( http://boingboing.net/2012/02/07/googles-new-privacy-policy-2.html )
To quote, “Google’s new policy is exemplary in its brevity, comprehensibility, and candor. If you disagree, try reading one from a bank or a wireless carrier (emphasis on the word “try.”) In simple language, it sets forth—among other items—the kinds of information being collected, how Google and its associates may use that information, and what you can do to limit that usage. It really does tell you everything you need to know, for better or for worse, and as compared to the policies and procedures of other information collectors, it seems reasonable and fair-minded. It does, however, embody one glaring mistake, best illuminated by the light of Justice Sotomayor’s concurring opinion.
Contained in the “Information Sharing” section there are assurances that information provided to Google will be shared with third parties only in limited circumstances. Google lists four circumstances, the first one being when, “We have a good faith belief that access, use, preservation or disclosure of such information is reasonably necessary to (a) satisfy any applicable law, regulation, legal process or enforceable governmental request…”
The thing is, the consolidation of the information, which I presume is currently contained in a number of databases, does not constitute disclosure, though EPIC is saying otherwise. It only means reducing the number of databases and removing redundant info. Furthermore, in light of that statement, they seem to be complying with the settlement order in that they are making clear how the information is collected, used and disclosed.
All in all, it will be interesting to see how this case proceeds.
Sarge Misfit
8 Feb 12 at 3:51 pm
I just don’t want ‘em to have it…any of it. They don’t need my data, they don’t need my identities – and it’s none of their business that each of my identities is boring. The fact that they are putting it all together in one place for all their myriad services is lean, and exactly what I would have done in the first place. But it is also their admission, by doing it now, that they are connecting every tiny bit they can get on you with your identity. Google has their fingers wriggling in every pie on the internet, and they’re steadily scooping out every move you make, every key you touch in search, every site you visit, every purchase you make, every blog post, and and and…I’ve just had enough of Big Brother Google.
ELQ
8 Feb 12 at 5:01 pm
I agree with you wholeheartedly, ELQ, about protection of privacy and what is done with information about us. Whether you use Google or not, almost everyone has some sort of ToS that says that the info you give them is their property. The only way to protect your information is to simply not give it out, something I’ve been doing for years now. I’ve Google’d my RL name and nothing shows up and there is extremely little info on Sarge Misfit.
And its not just Google with their fingers in every pie. I think Google’s expansionist activities are in response to how ubiquitous Facebook has become. You just can’t get away from that little ‘f’ of theirs.
You know, I’m going to keep all this in mind for my own ToS. “Your information shall be kept private and will never be given out without your expressed consent or upon demand by valid court order”.
Sarge Misfit
8 Feb 12 at 6:02 pm
I would like to continue using Google but this latest change is too much and I’m not even content to keep using their search engine. I’m trying out Bing which I like so far.
I hope this latest development does some good but I’m still jumping ship.
Kimika Ying
8 Feb 12 at 6:17 pm
i logged in to my google dashboard and it already had connected with my phone! it had the model number and the name of the android apps i had on it!
Ener Hax
8 Feb 12 at 6:37 pm
That’s insane, Ener! I’d go ballistic. Like Sarge, my RL name is un-googlable, but this is only due to the fact a couple of very famous people share it. I work in web and software, so my RL name is around. I’ve never taken HUGE pains to conceal who I am, but it doesn’t mean I want it connected willy-nilly all over the place by whoever wants to connect it. If there’s a connection, it needs to be because I did it. So far, this has been the case but I just don’t trust Google with information, no matter how well they’ve explained that they’re stealing my data. I’ve been using Bing as well, Kimika, it’s not awesome, but it’s not awful either. And Vimeo is working out pretty well.
ELQ
9 Feb 12 at 4:41 pm
my real name is incredibly common an there are many folks online with it, so i can actually “hide” in that sea of peeps =)
i also don’t go crazy protecting my real name, people who email with me know what it is
but i think our community doesn’t care so much about our real names because we get judged on what we create more than any bs we may lay claim to =)
Ener Hax
11 Feb 12 at 10:09 am