Do you care if the words “personal” and/or “private” have no meaning? A curious and interesting consideration. The definition of privacy– “a. the quality or state of being apart from company or observation; b. freedom from unauthorized intrusion”.
On March 1st, Google’s old privacy tools/policies and old terms of service will be replaced by their new policy on privacy*, with no opt-out choice and new terms of service policy. One of Google’s goals as stated at the top of the, (soon to be outdated), “Privacy Tools” page states: “One of our goals at Google is to give users meaningful choices to protect your privacy.” No longer.
Especially interesting; Google made the choice to release their new “no-privacy” policy on the heels of a disappointing 4th quarter earnings report. I’m truly puzzled. Facebook users have, traditionally, been very unhappy when technological glitches, or “new announcements/policies” have even hinted, (or succeeded), at taking away the ability to control their privacy. Yet Google, (after recently launching Google+), is counting on a no privacy policy to boost earnings? While it’s true that I’m sure I have a lot less privacy than I actually think I do, I still like to think that I have some control over what I choose to “share with the world”. It’s very hard for my brain to truly comprehend what life would/will be like if the words “privacy” and “personal” are devoid of meaning.
Google’s “spin” on the new “no privacy” policy is they’re just helping us enjoy an enriched life filled with more fun. Thanks to the new, no privacy policy, not only will life be more fun, but so much more fulfilling as Google “helps” us by trolling our no-longer-private-emails and combining that with other platforms/services:
- In short, we’ll treat you as a single user across all our products, which will mean a simpler, more intuitive Google experience.
- Our search box now gives you great answers not just from the web, but your personal stuff too.
- But there’s so much more that Google can do to help you by sharing more of your information with … well, you. (Huh? Oh yeah, I get it, Google is just letting us know that we no longer have the right to “opt out” of sharing our information with ourselves? This has to win the PRIZE for STUPID statement of all time!) Click here for a MUST HEAR conversation!
This “no-privacy” policy will take effect across all 60+ Google owned/operated platforms, including Gmail, YouTube, Google+, etc. Click here to see a list of Google’s products, services & apps and here for a list of Google acquisitions. They don’t call this “data mining” they call it “data liberation”. On the “data liberation” page, is the statement:
Users should be able to control the data they store in any of Google’s products. Our team’s goal is to make it easier to move data in and out.
If you’re concerned about “no privacy”, take the time to utilize the information on the “data liberation” page to remove data you have stored in anything related to Google.
”Perhaps Google’s new no privacy policy has to do with a settlement between Google and the Federal Trade Commission that forbids Google from misrepresenting how it uses personal information and from sharing an individual’s data without prior approval.
Have we have reached the “Zero Moment of Truth?
What do you think? If you’re concerned, please share this!
*Let us hope that Google’s new “no-privacy” policy doesn’t include “Google Wallet”. Although, if you have any Google app installed on your smart phone, technically, Google can track where you’re at, what you’re doing and what you buy; all without your permission.
notonyourplate 