John Battelle in his Searchblog posting on Google’s “privacy kerfluffle” reckons “this is only going to play poorly for Google” — but is it?
A post by one James Mowery on Mashable.com says Google is part of a broader trend he calls “Stalking 2.0.“
As we were putting together a special report on privacy, our technology correspondents Eric Auchard and Matt Cowan were telling me the “Big Brother” image of Google that I have is too simplistic.
They said this whole privacy thing is getting in the way of the bigger issue: people are learning new ways to live online, privacy is a currency that we all trade in, and painting Google as Big Brother is just the easiest way for the
media to cover the story.
Eric even thinks some of the latest developments in Google search might help people learn more about themselves — you could call it “soul-Googling”.
Today and in the next few days we’re going to be looking at the privacy debate and we want you to add to it. What have you seen about the discussion? Send us some good links, or tell us what we’re missing, and we’ll add it.
(Photos: Reuters. Top right, eye test in LA. Lower left: Vladimir Putin having a drink on a plane)
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5 comments so far
Wasn’t it Depeche Mode that sang: “I want somebody to share, share the rest of my life, share my inner-most thoughts, know my intimate details…” Martin Gore meet Google.
- Posted by Nic FultonThis is an interesting debate comprehensively covered by your correspondents. It is my view that attempts to curb the present day Orwellian disposition are both futile and ingenuous. The scrutiny and monitoring of our everyday activities is a reality of 21st century living. I do not believe that it is contradictory to be both an advocate of ones civil liberties and to welcome, for example, CCTV cameras on every street corner. I, for one, feel more secure in their presence. But then again, I am a law abiding citizen and have nothing to hide. Surely the concern is not what or how much information is gathered about individual and community behaviour but how that information is used. Will Google alert the appropriate authorities for searches to illegal or immoral websites and forums? If such actions were sanctioned then I would gladly tolerate a few pop-up ads as a consequence. Are the actions of Google any more pervasive than that of our supermarkets who, through their loyalty card systems, monitor consumers and analyse precisely what we consume?
- Posted by Susan EllisThe whole structure of the internet is predicated on the assumption that we are willing to share information, as soon as we become too precious, we are then losing the benefits of the internet. This is a network, and we have responsibility to contribute to the network, as well as benefit from it. That said, the internet is developing into a mass of competing and exploitative interests, who have little concern about the well being of the participants within the network.Then privacy becomes important because we have to protect ourselves.I think Google’s intentions are honourable,unfortunately they are part of a much less benevolent world….
- Posted by susan hatfieldRe: Susan Ellis’s comment - I was mugged recently but managed to hold onto my bag after much scuffling with my muggers. The police took my bag away for DNA analysis but only managed to get mine from the bag, which is now on file. I recently received a parking ticket in the mail despite the fact I hadn’t even been on the road concerned - after much communication the body concerned said it was sent in error, though no explanation was given. If the “system” makes a mistake who will listen and override it when everything is automated and handled by computerised visual recognition? This is the issue - disagree with what is “wrong” in the eyes of some (peaceful demonstration, right to trial by jury etc.) and you’ve potentially had it. Who decides what information I can read or look up on the net; when does reading about something make me dangerous? If I read up on chemistry and politics can they deem me to be a potential bombmaker? When democratic systems are not working and manipulated (redrawing of voting district borders, buying out a section of voters and moving them from your constituency etc.) with impunity where is our route to show disagreement? Some seem to get away with lies and thieving and manipulation and corruption - generally those at the top in control of these systems… (Re: Google - that is how their system works and I don’t believe they would use it for nefarious purposes; I agree with Susan Hatfield on this. However, what’s to stop those in power saying they need the info from Google to pursue a criminal investigation? Though I’m not a fan of big business, generally they just want to make money. It’s the UK and US governments (amongst others) which I worry about more. (Funny comment recently from the head of U.S. Air Force intelligence and surveillance, who bemoaned public access to Google Earth. These authorities want data on people, but don’t want people to be aware of the world around them, just as in the UK politicians want to exempt themselves from the Freedom of Information act. As Susan Ellis says, if people have nothing to hide why are they afraid? Unless of course, this is the usual case of double standards.
- Posted by Zak“Privacy is as Privacy does”
- Posted by Terry LedwithYes I know this is a variation on a trite old adage but look at where we have alrady lost our privacy.
We no longer have control over who can enter our own home.
Our Bank accounts can now be accessed by a number of authorities.
Our spending habits are regularly monitered by those who can profit from it.
We are almost certainly captured on video somewhere in our Towns and Cities.
Should we volunteer to give our DNA for a perfectly innocent reason, it is held for a long time, even if we do not wish it to be.
If we choose to help some unfortunate person who cannot easily conceive, by donating sperm we have now lost the right to anonymity and subsequently privacy.
OK, some may say, if we have nothing to hide, what does it matter.
It DOES matter, we are lurching into an Orwellian society where all of this information would be used to control every aspect of our lives and subsequently our death.
Online privacy is as precious as any other and should be preserved by all means possible.