[LINK] Fwd: [PRIVACY Forum] Google Glitches -- World Doesn't End!

[Roger Clarke]

>
>             Google Glitches -- But World Doesn't End!
>
>           http://lauren.vortex.com/archive/000501.html
>
>
>Greetings.  In answer to numerous queries, I'm been working to pin
>down the situation with the Google search results glitch this morning
>(which for a brief period tagged all sites as potentially harmful) and
>Google's updated blog entry seems very specific as to the cause --
>human error that resulted in "/" being treated as a valid "blacklist"
>table entry, which expanded to all URLs
>( 
>http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/this-site-may-harm-your-computer-on.html 
>).
>
>I suspect that many of us have run into this type of programming
>problem ourselves over the years, though presumably not visible on
>such a large stage.  Google fixed the problem rapidly.
>
>I'm still getting reports of Gmail messages supposedly being
>incorrectly categorized as "potentially dangerous" (based on internal
>URLs) during approximately the same period as the search results
>issue, but I do *not* at this time have independent confirmation of
>this problem, nor of any specific linkage to the search results
>glitch.
>
>There has been considerable confusion about the relationship between
>StopBadware.org ( http://www.stopbadware.org ) and Google,
>and who is responsible for which aspects of the blacklist in question.
>The current version of the Google blog entry noted above now correctly
>describes the situation (the error in question originating on Google).
>
>While this obviously was not a trivial event, I might note that the
>world did not come to an end.  People were able to search on other
>than Google if they wished, and if there were any incorrectly
>categorized Gmail messages, they were safely quarantined and available
>for later viewing.
>
>This does demonstrate that even the best run of large, complex
>information platforms are potentially subject to relatively simple
>errors (or complex errors for that matter) that can have broad impact.
>However, while this Google glitch was a minor annoyance to users and
>presumably somewhat embarrassing for Google, life goes on.
>
>Contrary to those observers who incorrectly assert that Google is a
>"monopolist," there were plenty of alternatives available for users
>during the span of the Google problem.
>
>But for an interesting thought experiment, imagine the impact if
>something like this had happened with a government-mandated filtering
>and blocking system that would affect *all* related ISPs by law,
>as is being implemented in some countries.  Now that's something to
>worry about.
>
>--Lauren--
>Lauren Weinstein
>lauren at vortex.com or lauren at pfir.org
>Tel: +1 (818) 225-2800
>http://www.pfir.org/lauren
>Co-Founder, PFIR
>    - People For Internet Responsibility - http://www.pfir.org
>Co-Founder, NNSquad
>    - Network Neutrality Squad - http://www.nnsquad.org
>Founder, PRIVACY Forum - http://www.vortex.com
>Member, ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy
>Lauren's Blog: http://lauren.vortex.com
>
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>
-- 
Roger Clarke                  http://www.anu.edu.au/people/Roger.Clarke/

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Visiting Professor in Info Science & Eng  Australian National University
Visiting Professor in the eCommerce Program      University of Hong Kong
Visiting Professor in the Cyberspace Law & Policy Centre      Uni of NSW