According to them, it's about creating "one beautifully simple and intuitive experience across Google". Huh? What this means is that Google will be able to tailor, or customise, search results based on your interests, which they will cull from information provided by you in Gmail, Google+, Blogger and YouTube. Why? Supposedly so that you can get results faster. Simply put, they're trying to create more sophisticated profiles of each of their customers.
Why the need for the new Policy in the first place?
Previously, the company had 60 different privacy policies across their products and services. The attempt is to streamline the effort by replacing it by one short, and presumably sweet policy that is minus legalese. This is to enable the 'average user', who in all probability is you, to easily decipher what the heck the policy is really about.
Should I be worried?
Not according to regular user Satyajit S (34), who works with a software company. "There is no need to be paranoid about the policy. Most people I've spoken to have not even bothered going through it," he says, adding, "How much can you hide?" Interesting question. So, what is it that Google will be (and has been) tracking? According to the policy, personal information provided by you at the time you sign/ed up for an account with them, cookies, log information (whether you are logging in from a computer or an android device, browser type, language and your IP address, for examples), personal information that you provide on affiliated Google Services on other sites, Third Party applications (for example when you send and receive an SMS to or from one of Google's services, they will be authorised to collect all the information provided, including your phone number).
Can I find out what they already know about me?
Yes. Ehrmm. Sort of. Log on to www.google.com/policies. Under the heading, 'Protecting your privacy hasn't changed', click on Google Dashboard. Enter your email password, sign in, and you will be directed to a page listing your account information. The Policy reads: "The Google Dashboard is an excellent starting point if you want to understand the data associated with each product you use and control your personal data settings on Google." Hmmm. So, that's just the starting point!
So, is Google looking for more data on me?
Here's the clincher: No. "Our new policy simply makes it clear that we use data to refine and improve your experience on Google across the services you sign in to use." Oh? "This is something we've already been doing and we plan to continue doing in the future so we can provide a simpler, more intuitive experience." So, they're onto you already. Now, they supposedly have permission: Yours.
How does my personal information help them?
Money, mostly. "There's a higherchance of users clicking on ads that are customised around their interests," offers Satyajit. "In a way it's good, because search results will be customised.
Can I opt out?
Yes. Well, log out. Opt out. "If you continue to use Google services after March 1, you'll be doing so under the new Privacy Policy and Terms of Service." Attempts to get an official statement from Google's India office were ignored.
What the privacy advocates are saying about leaving your digital thumbprint
Not everyone wants a personalised Internet experience, which translates mostly to personalised ads and/ or personalised search results. Some users might even peg the so-called experience as "creepy".
Google's new Privacy Policy boils down to 'separation' being removed this allows the company to collate information about you, based mostly on searches done by you, across its products and services.
click for More http://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/2012/feb/270212-Tinker-Tailor-Google-Spy.htm
Why the need for the new Policy in the first place?
Previously, the company had 60 different privacy policies across their products and services. The attempt is to streamline the effort by replacing it by one short, and presumably sweet policy that is minus legalese. This is to enable the 'average user', who in all probability is you, to easily decipher what the heck the policy is really about.
Should I be worried?
Not according to regular user Satyajit S (34), who works with a software company. "There is no need to be paranoid about the policy. Most people I've spoken to have not even bothered going through it," he says, adding, "How much can you hide?" Interesting question. So, what is it that Google will be (and has been) tracking? According to the policy, personal information provided by you at the time you sign/ed up for an account with them, cookies, log information (whether you are logging in from a computer or an android device, browser type, language and your IP address, for examples), personal information that you provide on affiliated Google Services on other sites, Third Party applications (for example when you send and receive an SMS to or from one of Google's services, they will be authorised to collect all the information provided, including your phone number).
Can I find out what they already know about me?
Yes. Ehrmm. Sort of. Log on to www.google.com/policies. Under the heading, 'Protecting your privacy hasn't changed', click on Google Dashboard. Enter your email password, sign in, and you will be directed to a page listing your account information. The Policy reads: "The Google Dashboard is an excellent starting point if you want to understand the data associated with each product you use and control your personal data settings on Google." Hmmm. So, that's just the starting point!
So, is Google looking for more data on me?
Here's the clincher: No. "Our new policy simply makes it clear that we use data to refine and improve your experience on Google across the services you sign in to use." Oh? "This is something we've already been doing and we plan to continue doing in the future so we can provide a simpler, more intuitive experience." So, they're onto you already. Now, they supposedly have permission: Yours.
How does my personal information help them?
Money, mostly. "There's a higherchance of users clicking on ads that are customised around their interests," offers Satyajit. "In a way it's good, because search results will be customised.
Can I opt out?
Yes. Well, log out. Opt out. "If you continue to use Google services after March 1, you'll be doing so under the new Privacy Policy and Terms of Service." Attempts to get an official statement from Google's India office were ignored.
What the privacy advocates are saying about leaving your digital thumbprint
Not everyone wants a personalised Internet experience, which translates mostly to personalised ads and/ or personalised search results. Some users might even peg the so-called experience as "creepy".
Google's new Privacy Policy boils down to 'separation' being removed this allows the company to collate information about you, based mostly on searches done by you, across its products and services.
click for More http://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/2012/feb/270212-Tinker-Tailor-Google-Spy.htm
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