Google This: Who's the Worst Invader of Privacy?

Jun 10, 07:05 PM

Current Headlines: The company's slogan may be "Don't be Evil", but Internet giant Google has been hit twice in as many weeks with allegations it doesn't respect users' privacy.

In a report issued over the weekend, California-based Google, which has thrived on its image of enlightened management, is ranked worst for invading privacy.

The report follows warnings last week that Google's new Street View service, launched on Google maps for San Francisco, New York, Las Vegas, Denver and Miami, opens up normally private moments to a world-wide audience.

In an analysis of the world's leading Internet companies by British surveillance watchdog Privacy International, released on Saturday, Google finished a clear last, with the group concluding Google is "hostile to privacy".

The other firms analyzed included Microsoft, Apple, eBay and Yahoo. Privacy International placed them along a spectrum ranging from black to yellow, with black signaling the worst invaders of users' privacy and yellow those that showed the most respect.

Marks were awarded according to 20 criteria including how willing companies were to allow customers to delete their accounts, how much information they collected about users and how long they kept it.

None of the companies made it into the yellow category, but only Google ended up in the black.

According to Privacy International, Internet users concerned about prying eyes following their online lives would be dismayed to learn that Google records all search results from its Toolbar search service, and is able to individually identify all users and track their Internet use.

The company is also accused of retaining information about people who use its services, even after they have deleted their accounts.

And Google can acquire additional personal information - including everything from what a user's hobbies are to where he or she works - through its networking service, Orkut. "Throughout our research we have found numerous deficiencies and hostilities in Google's approach to privacy," said Privacy International.

The watchdog's voice will add volume to online complaints about intrusion following Street Views' launch.

The backlash against the service, which provides high-resolution images taken from vans driving along streets, began after Mary Kalin- Casey, from Oakland, California, looked up her address and saw her pet cat, Monty, sitting in her apartment's window.

"I feel like I need to close all my curtains now," she later blogged.

Her worries were joined by many others, including a Miami abortion clinic administrator who feared Google's image of protesters outside the center would discourage women from seeking help.

Despite the attacks, Google has defended its privacy policies.

"We stand by our record for protecting user privacy and offering products that are transparent about what information is collected and empower users to control their personal information," said a spokeswoman.

China Daily

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