[LINK] Google chief: only miscreants worry about net privacy

[stephen at melbpc.org.au]

Bernard forwards,

> Google chief: only miscreants worry about net privacy
> 'If you don't want anyone to know, don't do it' 7th December 2009
> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/12/07/schmidt_on_privacy/  (snip)
> 
> If you're concerned about Google retaining your personal data, then you 
> must be doing something you shouldn't be doing. At least that's the
> word from Google CEO Schmidt. "If you have something that you don't
> want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn't be doing it in the first
> place," Schmidt tells CNBC, sparking howls of incredulity from the
> likes of Gawker. Gawker highlights the irony of Schmidt's typically
> haughty proclamations. After all, this is the man who banned CNet for
> a year after the news site published information about him it had
> gleaned from, yes, Google. When the privacy question appears, Google 
> likes to talk about the people asking the questions..


It appears that Schmidt might not be the man for his job. For eg at least
Alan Davidson, Google's public policy director, appears to talk the talk:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5B63BN20091207?type=technologyNews?
feedType=nl&feedName=ustechnology

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - With companies able to collect and store vast 
amounts of data about consumers for very little money, the Federal Trade 
Commission held a conference on Monday to discuss guidelines on how firms 
use that data to advertise.

While there are little in the way of legal requirements to protect 
consumer information, the FTC has issued voluntary guidelines on how that 
information should be collected, saved and shared. 

In February, it extended those guidelines to Internet service providers 
and mobile providers.

In his opening remarks, Chairman Jon Leibowitz, who supports rules 
requiring consumers to "opt in" before any information on them can be 
collected, noted the ever-lower cost of collecting and storing all sorts 
of information.

"These advances have created extraordinary benefits for consumers but 
also have tremendous implications for privacy," he said. "The computer 
cost of data collection seems to be approaching zero. Data storage costs 
are unbelievably low too."

Leibowitz also noted questions about certain types of information, 
including medical and financial. "How do we treat vulnerable categories 
of consumers, such as children?" Leibowitz asked.

The chairman declined to outline what the agency planned in terms of 
additional guidelines. In the past, Leibowitz has said that industry's 
failure to safeguard the public's privacy could lead to federal 
legislation.

Alan Davidson, Google's public policy director, noted how unprecedented 
some data collection is, including where a consumer may be at any given 
time.

"It's one of the reasons that we really have to get this right," he 
said. "It's a very dynamic environment. We have to be careful."

Privacy advocates have pushed for tougher regulations on big phone and 
Internet companies, such as AT&T Inc and Google, saying they have 
excessive access to and control over consumers' personal information.

In March, an online privacy group, the Electronic Privacy Information 
Center, asked the FTC to investigate the adequacy of Google's safeguards 
after the company inadvertently released users' private information.

There are few U.S. laws about the collection and use of consumer data, 
with exceptions for instances where firms fail to live up to advertised 
promises to protect privacy, or fail to deliver an expected level of data 
protection. (Reporting by Diana Bartz; Editing by Steve Orlofsky)
--

Even Facebook, (hardly a boon re privacy & safety) seems to be concerned:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5B60FJ20091207?type=technologyNews?
feedType=nl&feedName=ustechnology

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Social networking site Facebook said it has formed 
an advisory board comprising five Internet safety organizations to 
consult on issues related to online safety.

Facebook plans to regularly meet board members to review existing safety 
resources it provides its users, develop new materials and seek advice on 
general safety best practices.

The first task of the board will be to oversee an overhaul of safety 
content in Facebook's help center.

The organizations on the board are Common Sense Media, ConnectSafely, 
WiredSafety, Childnet International and The Family Online Safety 
Institute.

Facebook and rival MySpace, owned by News Corp, have deals with state 
attorneys general to increase efforts to protect their youngest members 
from abuse. (Reporting by Paritosh Bansal; Editing by Valerie Lee)

--

Cheers,
Stephen



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