Google enemy of privacy

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greengeek
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Google enemy of privacy

#1 Post by greengeek »

I recently received a financial bulletin discussing the fact that Google are now actively scanning users PCs and electronic communications for certain information, and that Google had passed a users details onto police for prosecution.

In this case, it is good that the user was prosecuted (due to the nature of the activities they were engaged in) but I find it disturbing that the process of detection was being done by Google - not as a direct result of a search warrant by police.

The bulletin raised the question about whether the detection would, in time, be extended to any activity that violates the Patriot Act; for example, sending money out of the USA in order to keep it out of government hands (there are moves afoot to prevent Americans protecting their wealth by investing overseas)

Google is quoted as saying that no-one has the right to expect that their electronic communications are private. Point blank - there it is - Google does not offer you privacy. Here is the confirmation of that:

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/gmail ... ief-2013-8
and
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/newsrel ... e-who-care
.

slavvo67
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#2 Post by slavvo67 »

I would like to add, that "Google+" isn't a social network, it's the Matrix.

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/b ... the-matrix

So Google creates a Google+ profile when you sign up for gmail, no matter what. And the tracking starts..... You really can't get away without signing in when using a Droid phone or tablet so ....

Perhaps Puppy can save us? :wink:

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mikeb
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#3 Post by mikeb »

Can confirm through experience that this is so.
I would simply avoid all thing google when possible...signing up is handing over your privacy.

At least if you are just searching for green bananas or watching how to peel an onion its not exactly something that matters whereas personal files and login info is......

Fortunately there is still choice available on the internet.... so use that to your advantage.

mike

bark_bark_bark
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#4 Post by bark_bark_bark »

Isn't it kind of obvious that google is an enemy to privacy. Goggle is sure as hell an enemy of security.
....

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mikeb
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#5 Post by mikeb »

Isn't it kind of obvious that google is an enemy to privacy. Goggle is sure as hell an enemy of security.
well pointing out the obvious seems to be necessary ..... 18 years on and most computer users have no idea why they are susceptible to viruses for example... so the message gets repeated...and repeated....

Things to do on a rainy summers day...

mike

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greengeek
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#6 Post by greengeek »

bark_bark_bark wrote:Isn't it kind of obvious that google is an enemy to privacy. Goggle is sure as hell an enemy of security.
Well, Googles corporate mantre is "do no evil" so people tend to believe that concept is what determines how Google behaves.

I guess this is why Android devices are so widespread - people believe that Google is the nice guy and is on their side. Same with Gmail and Google docs - people find them useful and develop trust in Google. Yes, I'm happy for Google to see my search terms (seems like a fair trade-off for using their search engine...) but emails are a different matter. I don't expect the Post Office to open my letters, and I don't expect Google to check out what is in my emails.

So many people still believe their emails are private. However, to see it put in print - in Googles own words - that Google does not even try to create any semblance of privacy - is something that people should be made to read.

But Mike's right - if the masses still have trust in Microsoft then their attitude towards Google isn't likely to change either.
.

Sylvander
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#7 Post by Sylvander »

greengeek wrote:I don't expect the Post Office to open my letters...
They may well be doing just that.
Here in the UK there is a long history of the Post Office opening and reading the letters of chosen people.
e.g. Way back in the 1780's or there-abouts, the GPO in Edinburgh was opening the letters of Robert Burns.
In the 1st World War "Letter Interception Units" became large-scale operations, opening a large proportion of ALL letters.
I wonder how big it is now?

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mikeb
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#8 Post by mikeb »

'Google, enemy of privacy'... does sound like a Flash Gordon title.... :D

Hmm I think androids have been see as something that actually works for more than 10 minutes unlike microsofts products..... and of course in terms of security against viruses Google/Android wins hands down...well they are using linuxish after all... so yes some trust does come from such a reputation.

But yes it does come down to your documents and emails not being private as such... me recommend having yer own domain/site approach. Then the only intruder might be the host but more likely they have no interest in doing so.

mike

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Barkin
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#9 Post by Barkin »

mikeb wrote: At least if you are just searching for green bananas or watching how to peel an onion its not exactly something that matters ...
If your Google-search is related to illness , (even if you didn't actually suffer from it), it could have an impact on the cost you are charged for health/life insurance , see ... http://online.wsj.com/news/articles

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mikeb
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#10 Post by mikeb »

Ah yes sorry I forget how intense the whole American marketing system is and general obsession with statistics.... you have my sympathy.

mike

slavvo67
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#11 Post by slavvo67 »

But.the Chrome browser still works the best in my opinion. It's faster than most and has java built in. I almost can't help but use it. Google translate is the only decent translator out there, Google Maps is pretty good (I use the neighbors address when I need directions... lol) And if Google is doing it, then it's possible that others are doing the same thing without disclosing. So, I'm a little torn here.

Sylvander:

I can say with a reasonable degree of certainty that regular "hand delivered" mail is generally not opened and read. I'm sure the gov't can monitor an address if they believe there's illegal activity going on but in general, a common person's mail is secure (at least in the U.S.). Yeah, I used to work there, too.

I will say the mailman does love to read the Victoria Secret catalogs that you receive, though. :wink:

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mikeb
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#12 Post by mikeb »

A sideways approach perhaps...

instantstreetview.com I find really quick and useful...no flash needed.

openstreetmap.org ... nicer for printing and include puplic footpaths and other handy info.

there are various google based searches that have privacy blocking...I prefer ask.com anyway.

mike

slavvo67
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#13 Post by slavvo67 »

Hi Mikeb:

Thanks for sharing your alternative sites. There are always alternatives but once convenience and functionality are introduced, it is more difficult to change. Being we're sharing, here's a few interesting search engines. ;-)

http://www.psykoo.com/

http://blekko.com/

http://www.spezify.com/

http://qrobe.it/

Best,

Slavvo67

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RSH
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#14 Post by RSH »

I'm just wondering: doesn't such different search engines just using Google as a back end?
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slavvo67
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#15 Post by slavvo67 »

Some of them, for sure. I find it funny that they say private when they're ultimately powered by Google. Definitely a good question. The sites that I posted aren't necessarily for privacy but they're pretty good, different search engines.

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Barkin
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#16 Post by Barkin »

RSH wrote:I'm just wondering: doesn't such different search engines just using Google as a back end?
Startpage searches Google by proxy, (aka google-scraping) , so Google doesn't know who is asking the question ...https://startpage.com/proxy/uk/help.html

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mikeb
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#17 Post by mikeb »

ask is not google...I also find google results cluttered plus unless you spoof an old browser version really bogged down with javascript...hardly convenient....docs I find equally 'heavy'.

Its more a case of the familiar really... like everyone uses ebay here cos they were first even though their site is horrible to use and charges are way higher than everyone else.

Hotmail is common for the same reason.... choices are so often based on first experience... and that includes friends I find whether they are good for you or not becomes irrelevant....must be a human quirk.

mike

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