The article I read was called Google Offers Users a Peek At Stored Data it was written by Miguel Helft and published by the NY Times. The article talks about the new Google Dashboard that has been created to give users a better look at what data Google is collecting on them every time they use the products Gmail, Picasa Web Albums, Web History, Checkout, Reader and YouTube. Shuman Ghosemajumder, business product manager for trust and safety, said that all this information was already available but scattered and that Dashboard brings it all together for an easy to use interface for users. Dashboard also allows you to easily be linked to where you can adjust some privacy settings for the different products using dashboard. This isn’t available for all users just ones that are logged into their google account. Ari Schwartz, chief operating officer of the Center for Democracy and Technology, said, “It is a significant step forward in terms of trying to unite the user experience for people who use Google products.” Shwartz also said that Google’s Dashboard “mirrored efforts by Facebook” to give some better view of user’s privacy.
I think that this seems like a step in the right direction for a better system of user privacy. As mentioned in the article most of this availability already existed but it was just to hard to get to or even know about. I had no idea that as a user you had a way to adjust some privacy settings. This all is definitely a positive step forward but I still think there is a long way to go with privacy control for users. I think that every time Google or any other system or company takes data from you you should be made aware. Especially when the data is very private or personal.
I think that data collection is great so companies can figure out whom to market to but I also think that a user should be able to know what information is being collected on them as soon as it is collected. The problem with this from the users point of view is everyone uses the Internet, especially Google so it would be so hard to stop using unless they gave more rights. I could see maybe in the future a new search site that would be free of data collection and make their money some other way. I think that this Google Dashboard might raise people’s awareness of what is being collected on them and push people to demand more protection. I think this is a move that had to be done with the ever rising need for privacy control but I also think that this has started a trend that is not going to stop until a user has a great deal of control over their privacy.
My article can be found at:
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/05/google-offers-users-a-peek-at-stored-data/
I think that the implementation of Google Dashboard is a great idea. Google has so many different applications and it is nice to have them all organized in one place. I had never heard of this before, but I just logged into my own Google Dashboard and I'm surprised at how much is there! I like that I can organize my GMail, Chat, iGoogle, Contacts, and Blogger all in one place. Often times when I want to change application or security settings I can't find the right place to do so and eventually give up. With the Dashboard, I have all of the information easily accessible and ready to be changed.
ReplyDeleteThe implementation of Google Dashboard will definitely make Google an even better company and internet search engine. The fact that it was difficult for users to adjust privacy settings was by far one of the biggest drawbacks to Google. To that end, the fact that Google is continuously collecting data on its users, this advent becomes monumental for security purposes. In terms of organization, the fact that users can now organize settings and display themes, is quite quite convenient. All in all this addition to the Google service is very user friendly.
ReplyDeleteI think the implementation of this feature will benefit Google as a company in terms of image. I think having everything more visible to the user-especially the privacy settings-makes more user friendly. In terms of privacy settings, Facebook was frowned upon for their handling of peoples information and then redeemed itself. I think Google is trying to the same thing before getting to the point of being frowned upon. I think this is a proactive effort on Google's part.
ReplyDeleteI think that implementing Google Dashboard is definitely a positive thing for Google. I really like how they appear to be making an effort to provide users with privacy information that many databases are reluctant to give out. The whole premise of this bring me back to the idea of how everything that is done on the internet is being recorded in some way or another. The internet is becoming more and more powerful everyday, it is inevitable that everything that is done will have something to do with the internet. With all of tis usage it is still hard to grasp that we are basically being spied on. This is as if 20 years ago someone was following you to the store with a video camera and recording every purchase you made. Although it is impossible to prevent, at least Google is making an effort to let people know what they are storing about them.
ReplyDeleteI feel that Google allowing its users to see how they are being tracked is a bold move. I think, also, that is it brave. Not every internet user understands the extent to which they are being followed and studied, and giving the unaware the knowledge of how they are being tracked could be a risky move. I would like to see how I am being tracked, but a constant online shopper may not be happy to see how much of their information big named websites like Google hold. Implementing privacy settings is a good idea, also. If a user thinks they are in control of their privacy, they most likely will feel more confident browsing online.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate google's concern for the internet users. This is very different from many other websites that will take any bit of information from the user and try to make money off of it. People will definitely hold google to a higher standard as they are taking a different approach to this. Also, I think it's time for the user to sell their own information about themselves. People are making money by following the clicks of our keyboards. There has to be a way for the user to get a piece of this sneaky business.
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