[LINK] Pew: 2/3rds of User Oppose Google's Terms

[Stephen Wilson]

Nick,

I take it you think the Google privacy policy simplification, and the 
aggregation of data Google acquires from dispirate services is not so 
much of a problem?  Actually I think it's been portrayed quite fairly in 
the media as a significant worsening of Google's privacy protections.  
The importance of Use Limitation seems to me to be lost on Google.  Many 
technologists appear to believe that once Personal Information has been 
gathered, organisations are free to use it as they please.

My blog post on the topic: 
http://lockstep.com.au/blog/2012/03/06/use-limitation

Of course Google provides excellent services.  I would be lost without 
it.  I have no beef fundamentally with the bargain for information 
assets that underpins free Internet services, I just ask that the value 
exchange be fair and transparent.  Very few lay people understand or 
even pause to consider how they "pay" for free search, mapping, email 
and so on.  There needs to be better public understanding of this, even 
if it means eventually that we might have to pay real money.  As Google 
insinuates itself in banking with Google Wallet, and one day healthcare, 
this becomes an crucial social issue.

FYI other thoughts on social media and privacy at 
http://lockstep.com.au/blog/social-media.html

Appreciate your thoughts!

Cheers,

Steve Wilson
Lockstep
http://lockstep.com.au





On 13/03/2012 1:02 PM, Nick Ross wrote:
> I've spoken about this so much on the radio lately. I'm not surprised
> people are against it considering how the media has portrayed it. FUD at
> its best.
>
> On 13 March 2012 10:53, Roger Clarke<Roger.Clarke at xamax.com.au>  wrote:
>
>> [Picked up from ACCAN News]
>>
>> Users wary of Google's privacy policy changes: survey
>> Published 7:02 AM, 12 Mar 2012 [Probably US, so UT-5-8]
>>
>> http://technologyspectator.com.au/industry/internet/users-wary-google-s-privacy-policy-changes-survey
>>
>> Reuters
>>
>> Search engines users disapprove of personal data being collected for
>> search results or for targeted advertising, according to a Pew survey
>> released last week that underscores the public's growing concern with
>> web privacy.
>>
>> The survey results come after Google said in January it was
>> simplifying its privacy policy and would pool data on users across
>> its services, including YouTube and Gmail.
>>
>> Users cannot opt out of the new policy. It has generated scrutiny
>> from European and Brazilian regulators.
>>
>> [They've missed a few, but I haven't seen Brazil mentioned before.]
>>
>> The Pew Internet&  American Life survey showed that 65 per cent of
>> users said it was a bad thing if a search engine collected
>> information about searches and then used it to rank future search
>> results. They worried it could limit information users get online and
>> what search results they saw.
>>
>> An even larger 73 per cent said they would not be OK with a search
>> engine keeping track of searches and personalising future search
>> results because it would be an invasion of privacy.
>>
>> Just 38 per cent of internet users said they were aware of how they
>> could limit information about them that is collected by a website.
>>
>> Google Inc. is by far the most popular search engine, with 83 per
>> cent of search users saying they used it most often. Yahoo Inc.
>> trailed at six per cent, the survey found.
>>
>> The survey was conducted from January 20 to February 19 among 2,253
>> adults age 18 and over, including 901 cell phone interviews. The
>> margin of error for the full sample is plus or minus 2 percentage
>> points.
>>
>>
>> --
>> 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
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