Beware of Google

As a longtime Google user and lover, this is not the most pleasant thing to write, but I know I'm not the first person to say it. Beware of Google. They claim to never collect identifying data from their users, but can they really be trusted? All sorts of sites across the web collect data on their users. Why should we believe Google does not collect everything they possibly can? They thrive on data. So the more they can collect, the better, one could be led to think. All they have to do is start with your IP address, easily collected when you use their search engine (though they say they don't do this). So, let's say they get your IP address when you're searching for puppies. On the surface, who cares? But let's say two days later you go searching for information on how to join the communist party, and that night you use Google to search for websites featuring your favorite fetish. Not that either of those is wrong, but it might not be information you just want floating around out of your control. But it's okay, since all they have is your IP address. They don't really know who you are. Do they? Well maybe, maybe not. See, Gmail, Google's e-mail service could be where you're sunk. If you have an account, maybe you put your real name in when you created it. Next time you log in to check your e-mail they connect your name to your IP address. Now they know that you, John Doe, using X IP address, are interested in the communist party and, despite the fact that you're happily married to your high school prom queen (they own the servers where your e-mail is held, so they figured this out), you happen to have a thing for guys too. Then, after analyzing your e-mail, and comparing it with your IP address, they figure out roughly where you live. A quick search of on online phone book directories, reveals your exact address, and that's where Google's satellite capabilities come in. They can now access satellite pictures of your house and neighborhood. Not only this, but they've got that Streetview van driving around taking pictures of every address, so now they have a picture of the front of your house too.

But now it seems they are going even further. Using "anonymous" aggregate search results, they are able to track the incidence of influenza. Not only are they tracking this, but they are turning the data over to the government. They've come under fire in the past for bowing to Chinese demands that searches in that country be censored.

Let's be honest. Google is a company, and will do what's profitable. And if that means selling your data to the government, what's to stop them? AT&T didn't stand up to the government. Why should we believe Google would be any different?

And don't forget: Google owns Blogspot. They already know you've read this.