[LINK] [PRIVACY] Google to track users across its sites, whether they like it or not

[Roger Clarke]

At 16:51 +1000 25/1/12, K. Peachey wrote:
>Google to track users across its sites, whether they like it or not
>http://www.thetechblock.com/articles/2012/google-to-track-users-across-its-sites-whether-they-like-it-or-not/
>Tuesday, Google announced its intention to keep tabs on users that
>frequent its popular sites, including YouTube, Gmail, and, of course,
>its industry-leading search engine. And alarmingly, users won't be
>able to opt out of the changes, which are scheduled to take effect
>March 1st.  ...

We need analyses of:
-   the current position under the (various) Terms and Privacy Policies
-   the differences between that position and the new one

Are they really saying that they are reneging on previous 
undertakings in relation to their existing holdings of personal data?

Google may have the right to change the Terms and Privacy Policies 
applicable to the services that they provide - with effect from some 
date in the future.

That could mean that the personal data that they collect in the 
course of providing those services, from that date onwards, is 
subject to whatever freedoms they write for themselves (subject to 
any overriding laws).

But surely Google has no legal ability to change the Terms and 
Privacy Policies that apply to the (vast amount of) personal data 
that they have collected to date and have in their archives at the 
date they change their Terms.

_______________________________________________________________________


>Alma Whitten, Google's director of privacy for product and
>engineering, explained:
>
>"Our new Privacy Policy makes clear that, if you're signed in, we may
>combine information you've provided from one service with information
>from other services. In short, we'll treat you as a single user across
>all our products, which will mean a simpler, more intuitive Google
>experience."
>
>Google said the move will allow them personalize ads more effectively.
>If someone watches Coldplay clips on YouTube and lives near a major
>venue, for instance, Google could advertise tickets in that person's
>Gmail account when the band comes to town.
>
>Common Sense Media Chief Executive James Steyer had a more cynical take:
>
>"Google's new privacy announcement is frustrating and a little
>frighteningŠEven if the company believes that tracking users across
>all platforms improves their services, consumers should still have the
>option to opt out - especially the kids and teens who are avid users
>of YouTube, Gmail and Google Search."
>
>Steyer hit the nail on the head. Tracking users against their will, no
>matter how innocent the company's intentions, is a slippery slope, and
>one sure to stir up a backlash.
>
>Of course, there's one opt-out option Google's powerless to stop:
>Don't use their services. But that's easier said than done.
>---
>
>Source: 
>http://www.thetechblock.com/articles/2012/google-to-track-users-across-its-sites-whether-they-like-it-or-not/
>(via http://www.techmeme.com/120124/p66#a120124p66)
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>This is the EFA Privacy mailing list.
>
>To unsubscribe, send an email to sympa at lists.efa.org.au with 
>"unsubscribe privacy" in the message body, or visit this webpage: 
>http://lists.efa.org.au/wws/info/privacy

-- 
Roger Clarke                                 http://www.rogerclarke.com/

Xamax Consultancy Pty Ltd      78 Sidaway St, Chapman ACT 2611 AUSTRALIA
                    Tel: +61 2 6288 1472, and 6288 6916
mailto:Roger.Clarke at xamax.com.au                http://www.xamax.com.au/

Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Law               University of NSW
Visiting Professor in Computer Science    Australian National University