Google announces privacy changes across products; users can’t opt out

[Twitchin Kitten]

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This is rich. I'll be using Yahoo from now on. I know Google tracks all the shit I do, but this is ridiculous. I didn't use them for a very long time because of this but I caved and started using them for my searches. No more. I'm making my search engine preference to Yahoo or something else that isn't so intrusive. I may even kill off my YouTube account now because of this.
What gets me is these guys were all against SOPA and PIPA and this they feel is OK?

Google announces privacy changes across products; users can’t opt out <-- click for full story

By Cecilia Kang, Published: January 24

Google will soon know far more about who you are and what you do on the Web.

The Web giant announced Tuesday that it plans to follow the activities of users across nearly all of its ubiquitous sites, including YouTube, Gmail and its leading search engine.

Google has already been collecting some of this information. But for the first time, it is combining data across its Web sites to stitch together a fuller portrait of users.

Consumers won’t be able to opt out of the changes, which take effect March 1. And experts say the policy shift will invite greater scrutiny from federal regulators of the company’s privacy and competitive practices.

FAQ: What exactly will Google be able to collect and integrate? How does this affect me?

The move will help Google better tailor its ads to people’s tastes. If someone watches an NBA clip online and lives in Washington, the firm could advertise Washington Wizards tickets in that person’s Gmail account.

Consumers could also benefit, the company said. When someone is searching for the word “jaguar,” Google would have a better idea of whether the person was interested in the animal or the car. Or the firm might suggest e-mailing contacts in New York when it learns you are planning a trip there.

But consumer advocates say the new policy might upset people who never expected their information would be shared across so many different Web sites....CLICK ME FOR FULL STORY

[Havoc]

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Everyone just needs to turn them into the number one porn search engine, if everyone searched for porn all at the same time and constantly that is all that they would be able to promote in the gmail boxes.

we the users have power we just don't use it right.

[Twitchin Kitten]

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Good idea! Too bad no one will do that.

I have a gmail account because I couldn't use Google Adsense without it. I have not opened the thing ever since it's inception. I don't use free email accounts except for things like Facebook and anything I expect to be spammed to no end from. What's nice about my FiOS is that Verizon has a pretty tight spam filter on there and I also have the one for all my sites enacted so it keeps that down from here. I detest spam in any form.

Maybe we should start a "thing" on that stupid Facebook to start surfing porn on there? Seems to be the only way people get word out to do anything these days.

[crimson sugar]

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Gah at this rate, I think I'll stop using the net for as much and go back to books.....lol

[Vizth Hal]

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thank god for tor browser XD

[twisteroo]

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I do daily searches for huge clits, boyshorts, creampies, and amputee midgets. There, it's out....knock yourself out google.

[Twilla]

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I don't have a problem with this, I like getting shopping suggestions. I google some weird shit too, so that'd make it even more interesting. Anal fissures and hemorrhoids could have some fun links, right?

[Twitchin Kitten]

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Ah, our friends at Google are at it again.

You might want to think about clearing your cookies often. I clear mine daily and have certain sites set as OK to keep.

Lawmakers Want FTC to Probe Google Safari Tracking <-- click for story that includes the links within.

Today's controversy surrounding Google's tracking of Safari-based cookies has prompted the attention of Congress, with several House members calling on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate.

Reps. Edward Markey and Joe Barton, co-chairmen of the Bi-partisan Congressional Privacy Caucus, and Cliff Sterns, chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations, penned a letter to the FTC asking if today's revelation constitutes a violation of its recent settlement with the company.

That settlement arose from complaints regarding Google's Buzz social network, and banned Google from "future privacy misrepresentations." It also requires Google to implement privacy safeguards and submit to regular audits.

"Google's practices could have a wide sweeping impact because Safari is a major Web browser used by millions of Americans," the congressmen wrote. "As members of the Congressional Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus, we are interested in any actions the FTC has taken or plans to take to investigate whether Google has violated the terms of its consent agreement."

Earlier this week, a Stanford University graduate student, Jonathan Mayer, released a report that accused Google and three other ad networks of side-stepping the privacy settings on Apple's Safari browser to track usage on iPhones and Macs without permission.

Google said the report, which was picked up by the Wall Street Journal, "mischaracterizes" the search giant's efforts. But the company admitted that a glitch accidentally allowed Google cookies "to be set" on Safari and promised a fix.

"Cookies" are little bits of data collected about your Internet activity. They can be useful - like remembering passwords and settings on sites that you surf to frequently - but there are also concerns about targeted advertising and how much data is really collected. As Mayer noted, popular Web browsers provide the option to block third-party cookies, but Apple's Safari browser is unique in that it blocks third-party cookies by default on the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Macs.

Despite that ban, Google said that Apple enabled some features that rely on third parties and third-party cookies, like Google's +1 button. As a result, Google took advantage of that access and "created a temporary communication link between Safari browsers and Google's servers." In doing so, however, Safari unexpectedly allowed "other Google advertising cookies to be set on the browser," prompting Mayer's report and the Journal story. Google insisted it was not intentional and said it has "started removing these advertising cookies from Safari browsers."

Markey and his Congressional Privacy Caucus colleagues have called for the FTC to investigate a number of similar issues lately, including Google's privacy update and Facebook's tracking cookies.

For more from Chloe, follow her on Twitter @ChloeAlbanesius.

For the top stories in tech, follow us on Twitter at @PCMag.

[LKTraz]

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Meh.

Let them see what I'm doing. I really don't give a flying fuck. Realize that no matter what you do on the internet that SOMEONE can and most likely will track it.

I ignore the "targeted marketing" shit and report it as spam all the time. This is nothing new really. They are simply admitting to it.

[Twitchin Kitten]

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LK, attituded like that are exactly what the government wants. It gives them license to take a little more every day.

US spy agency can keep mum on Google ties: court <-- click