Your Privacy, is Google indeed the devil?

[mattweed9]

I read in a few post on here and other sites about how Google collects and gathers information about your search topics, and how many of you feel that is too much. That Google is in the wrong for trying to gather information to provide a better search engine and keep up with the ever growing " I need it, and I need it right now!" behavior people everywhere seem to be taking too. I personally don't see any issue with it. It's not like Google is some militant company gather information on everyone in the world and will be the death of us all. It's a search engine that gathers information from users anonymously to provide more accurate results for people. Damn them for making my life easier! lol

It seems to me that almost every software I have bought in the last year and installed on my computer wants to anonymously gather information and send it to the company or to partner companies to process time from time to help make their product better. As long as all this remains anonymous, and I never have any direct problems because of this, I don't see the problem with a company simply wanting to know how there product is used, and how they could improve it. I'd much rather my computer just send them this information then spend 20 minutes filling out a questionar.

Being this is a Windows 7 board, you all should know that even Windows has jumped on this bandwagon. I was asked if it was alright for Microsoft to collect data anonymously and send it to partner companies when I installed windows 7. My protection center keeps telling me Microsoft needs more information on my anti-virus software every so often.

If you are worried about your privacy, Google and the like are the least of your worries. Almost every government has computers that filter every phone call, text message, email, and all content on the web. They openly admit that even checking out a book at the local library can get you a FBI profile. Don't believe me, text or email that you are going to kill Barock Obama or whoever your leader is, and see what happens.

So, until I see or hear about Google ruining someones life or snitching on me to my girl friend for using it to find pornographic material, I really don't see the need for concern.

 

[catilley1092]

I read in a few post on here and other sites about how Google collects and gathers information about your search topics, and how many of you feel that is too much. That Google is in the wrong for trying to gather information to provide a better search engine and keep up with the ever growing " I need it, and I need it right now!" behavior people everywhere seem to be taking too. I personally don't see any issue with it. It's not like Google is some militant company gather information on everyone in the world and will be the death of us all. It's a search engine that gathers information from users anonymously to provide more accurate results for people. Damn them for making my life easier! lol

It seems to me that almost every software I have bought in the last year and installed on my computer wants to anonymously gather information and send it to the company or to partner companies to process time from time to help make their product better. As long as all this remains anonymous, and I never have any direct problems because of this, I don't see the problem with a company simply wanting to know how there product is used, and how they could improve it. I'd much rather my computer just send them this information then spend 20 minutes filling out a questionar.

Being this is a Windows 7 board, you all should know that even Windows has jumped on this bandwagon. I was asked if it was alright for Microsoft to collect data anonymously and send it to partner companies when I installed windows 7. My protection center keeps telling me Microsoft needs more information on my anti-virus software every so often.

If you are worried about your privacy, Google and the like are the least of your worries. Almost every government has computers that filter every phone call, text message, email, and all content on the web. They openly admit that even checking out a book at the local library can get you a FBI profile. Don't believe me, text or email that you are going to kill Barock Obama or whoever your leader is, and see what happens.

So, until I see or hear about Google ruining someones life or snitching on me to my girl friend for using it to find pornographic material, I really don't see the need for concern.

You would see the need for concern if you Googled your screen name. There's no less than a couple of dozen of your forum posts on there. More than that for me. Seems that you tried Ubuntu out, too. That's my problem with them. Sure, I do want info at times, and fast. But I don't care to read someone's forum posts. For the ultimate in privacy, try lxquick. It is a second slower, but so what? At least your searches are private, the way it should be.

 

[Veedaz]

I tend to use lxquick and Webfetch more and more as i hear more and more negative things about Google.

 

[Nibiru2012]

Google and the United States' NSA (National Security Agency) are linked together.

NSA works very closely with Google. I DO NOT TRUST GOOGLE!

 

[Veedaz]

Well i don't know about the Devil but in the last few minuets i have deleted Google from Maxthon Hot Link Bar, i use two other search engines that i am happy with, and just to add Steph (my wife has done the same)

 

[Nibiru2012]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] October, 2004: Google acquires CIA-linked company
Google has acquired Keyhole, Inc., which has a database of 3-D spy-in-the-sky images from all over the globe. Their software provides a virtual fly-over and zoom-in with one-foot resolution. Keyhole is supported by In-Q-Tel, a venture capital firm funded by the CIA, in an effort to "identify and invest in companies developing cutting-edge information technologies that serve United States national security interests." [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]In 2003, Keyhole's CEO John Hanke was quoted in an In-Q-Tel press release: "Keyhole's strategic relationship with In-Q-Tel means that the Intelligence Community can now benefit from the massive scalability and high performance of the Keyhole enterprise solution." [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The spooks in Washington now had another hook into Google, Inc. Then in mid-2005, Rob Painter joined Google as Senior Federal Manager. He came straight from In-Q-Tel, where he had been Director of Technology Assessment.

[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]November, 2006: Comment from Robert Steele
from John Battelle's Searchblog[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
It would be useful to get specifics on who at Google denied this. I am quite positive that Google is taking money and direction from my old colleague Dr. Rick Steinheiser in the Office of Research and Development at CIA, and that Google has done at least one major prototype effort focused on foreign terrorists which produced largely worthless data. [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Hopefully Google learned from Bill Clinton that the denial is often more costly than the deed when it completely undermines one's integrity. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]CIA is not very sophisticated. In 1986 they knew the 18 functionalities for an all-source analysis workstation (Google for CATALYST and CIA) and they still don't have it. CIA is a kludge of contractor-provided stovepipes, none of which play well together. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I like Google. I think they have enormous potential. I think they are seriously stupid to be playing with CIA, which cannot keep a secret and is more likely to waste time and money than actually produce anything useful. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Best wishes to all, Robert Steele Posted by: Robert David Steele, November 9, 2006 03:17 PM [/FONT]

SOURCE: http://www.google-watch.org/jobad.html

FOR MORE INFORMATION, READ THIS: http://www.google-watch.org/bigbro.html

 

[catilley1092]

I have removed Goggle from the list of my search engines, and have no intention to place it there again.

 

[Core]

Lee Harvey Oswald worked for Google. Tell everyone.

 

[mattweed9]

Lee Harvey Oswald worked for Google. Tell everyone.

Lol exactly, and that is why I love Google.

I don't ever post any personal information on the internet that could be used to harm me in anyway possible, so why is it a bad thing again that you can use Google to find post I have made? I mean, that is after all how I found this site, was Google and a users post on here with the same problem as me. With the help of Google and this web site, I was able to resolve my issue in less then 20 minutes. I had messed with it for two hours before I gave up and Googled it.

And catilley1092, you didn't have to google me to find out information about me using Ubuntu, you could of just gone to your thread on here about "Linux Sucks". It would of been just as easy.

But I don't care to read someone's forum posts.

As for this, I don't think I understand what you mean or something... I mean, you read peoples post on here looking for answers, or trying to help right? 99% of the time that I find info on what I was looking for on the web, it's a user post on a forum somewhere or some blog somewhere.

Anyways, it doesn't matter what search engine you use, they all should find information about your activities on the web or else it's not really a search engine is it? I mean, if you have a account on here and you are posting, then you are apart of the internet and should show up in a search right? I can find out a lot more harmful information about someone on Whitepages.com then I can get just from Google alone.


Edit: And Honestly, the first time I did a search for my whole name "Matthew Weed", I thought it was the coolest thing in the world. There is quite a few other people out there with the same name as me. The last name Weed, is a pretty uncommon name if you didn't already know that. And if the searches were so private and had no info on anyone, what would be the point?

Whats to special about http://www.ixquick.com/ ? I still found post made by me on it, just not as many. Does that mean it's better? Or does it just mean it's not as good as Google.,.....

 

[Core]

Honestly, at the end of the day, what does it matter... We all have our preferences and prejudices. There are people who know what works for them, and know how to use them, and where their knowledge is lacking, they know how to acquire it. And then there are people who keep re-electing Bush and buying Lexmark printers.

One person likes Bing. Vegetable Lasagna likes Ixquick. Me, I like Google, but then I don't look up kiddie pr0n or bomb schematics. They can record my IP all they want; I have a life to live. I don't have time for the conspiracy theories.

 

[mattweed9]

Vegetable Lasagna

I don't know what that has to do with anything, but it sounds good. What time is dinner?

 

[Core]

I don't know what that has to do with anything, but it sounds good. What time is dinner?

Beats me. In the evening, I presume. I just had lunch. Tuna salad. Very good stuff.

 

[catilley1092]

Lol exactly, and that is why I love Google.

I don't ever post any personal information on the internet that could be used to harm me in anyway possible, so why is it a bad thing again that you can use Google to find post I have made? I mean, that is after all how I found this site, was Google and a users post on here with the same problem as me. With the help of Google and this web site, I was able to resolve my issue in less then 20 minutes. I had messed with it for two hours before I gave up and Googled it.

And catilley1092, you didn't have to google me to find out information about me using Ubuntu, you could of just gone to your thread on here about "Linux Sucks". It would of been just as easy.



As for this, I don't think I understand what you mean or something... I mean, you read peoples post on here looking for answers, or trying to help right? 99% of the time that I find info on what I was looking for on the web, it's a user post on a forum somewhere or some blog somewhere.

Anyways, it doesn't matter what search engine you use, they all should find information about your activities on the web or else it's not really a search engine is it? I mean, if you have a account on here and you are posting, then you are apart of the internet and should show up in a search right? I can find out a lot more harmful information about someone on Whitepages.com then I can get just from Google alone.


Edit: And Honestly, the first time I did a search for my whole name "Matthew Weed", I thought it was the coolest thing in the world. There is quite a few other people out there with the same name as me. The last name Weed, is a pretty uncommon name if you didn't already know that. And if the searches were so private and had no info on anyone, what would be the point?

Whats to special about http://www.ixquick.com/ ? I still found post made by me on it, just not as many. Does that mean it's better? Or does it just mean it's not as good as Google.,.....

I only brought up that post because we had already discussed it on here, on the thread you quoted. It was only to inform you that Google keeps everything that goes through their search engine for as long as they want. I wasn't searching you personally, nor do I search anyone else. I don't care about reading peoples old forum posts. lxquick doesn't retain personal information for a long period of time. Just visit their site, you'll see their policies. I use them when I want the ultimate in privacy. Otherwise, I use Bing. At least you can clear your search history with them. Not so with Google. I know that they will be bringing out their own OS for netbooks soon. If one was given to me, I'd never use it, but would give it to a needy person. I have removed Google from all of my browsers, and don't intend to use them again. They were in communist countries doing the same way, and caused many people to be imprisoned. Finally, Google pulled out of one of the countries, complaining of censorship issues. Who are they to be complaining about censorship? They do it on a daily basis. Enough said about Google. The best thing to do with their name: Print it on facial tissue and we all can use it to blow our noses on, or better yet, print it on toilet paper.

 

[Core]

Google pulled out of one of the countries, complaining of censorship issues. Who are they to be complaining about censorship? They do it on a daily basis.

What on earth are you talking about? Do you even know what "censorship" means?

Google didn't "cause" anyone to be thrown in jail. I don't mind differing opinions, but fictitious bullshit being served as facts does irritate me.

 

[catilley1092]

When people make web posts, even in foreign countries, these posts are made public. There are still a few communist countries around where you can't speak against the government, or you land in prison. That's not bullshit, it's reality and happens on a daily basis. Google has a presence in some of these countries, although they recently pulled out of one. The people trusted Google to post and send information in a confidential manner. As over here, their posts were scattered everywhere. I truly believe in freedom over the net, but not when it places people in prison, or puts anyone's privacy in jeopardy. There are thousands of internet posts (even in the US) that are used as evidence in criminal trials. When the FBI or CIA decides to raid your home or business, what's among the first items taken for evidence? Computer equipment. What I'm trying to say is that unless there's a court order on someone to trace their activities, web searches should remain private. Your phone calls are, aren't they? What's the difference?

 

[Core]

When people make web posts, even in foreign countries, these posts are made public.

Right. What you post on the Internet, is public. So we agree on that.

There are still a few communist countries around where you can't speak against the government, or you land in prison.

Correct. And no one lands in prison in these countries for speaking against the government without prior knowledge of possible repercussions.

The people trusted Google to post and send information in a confidential manner. As over here, their posts were scattered everywhere. I truly believe in freedom over the net, but not when it places people in prison, or puts anyone's privacy in jeopardy.

When Google operates in China, it operates under Chinese law. Google doesn't run the Golden Shield, it merely lives with it. It's either that, or pull out entirely, which is what they might end up having to do.

One of the reasons Google is considering pulling out of China is because Google's Chinese servers were hacked into, and the company suspects the government, and with cause. Again, there are two options: live with it, or leave. China filters and monitors Internet content, and the 330+ million Internet users there are well aware of that. There is an extent to which any email provider can secure your communications; just ask Microsoft about those 10,000 Hotmail passwords that got posted online not too long ago.

Let's say that I am a Chinese layperson, and I post in an online web forum about wanting to overthrow the Emperor or something. Google spiders index the forum, and Chinese government do-no-gooders run a search for "I want to overthrow the Emperor", thereby coming across my post. Then, there's a knock on the door, and off to jail I go. Is Google responsible? Hell no. Is the webmaster whose forum I posted on responsible? Nope. Speaking of overthrowing the government isn't just "frowned upon" there; it's illegal. It's not Google that committed the crime - I did. Is it wrong to incarcerate people for speaking their minds? In my culture, yes. In China, it's the law.

You seem to be under some delirious misconception that Google is inherently evil and out to get you.

There are thousands of internet posts (even in the US) that are used as evidence in criminal trials. When the FBI or CIA decides to raid your home or business, what's among the first items taken for evidence? Computer equipment. What I'm trying to say is that unless there's a court order on someone to trace their activities, web searches should remain private. Your phone calls are, aren't they? What's the difference?

When the FBI or CIA raid your home, it's because they have acquired a warrant to do so. It's not because your house is painted red. And when they grab your computer, it's because they want to look through the data on your hard drive to see if there is evidence there, and it's a hell of a lot easier in many cases to get that information straight from your computer than it is to subpoena data from your ISP, or Google for that matter.

To answer your question: there is no difference. The evidence is acquired through warrant or subpoena, and it's lawful. Phone records or emails, it doesn't matter, it's all the same. And it has nothing whatsoever to do with Google.

 

[catilley1092]

Core, I agree with a lot of the points that you have made, and many of them are true. There is no reason that people should have to live in these conditions in the year 2010. Oppression has never worked for the people's benefit, nor will they ever. Thanks to the US and other countries, their government was rewarded for their actions by acquiring our jobs through trade agreements. When in fact, most people knew they weren't going to hold to their end of the bargain. Now, look at things: You and I both probably personally know people (I do) that has lost their jobs to China and similar governments. Dell had built a plant in my home state five years ago, made all kinds of promises to the people in order to acquire the land, tax breaks and so forth. They built PC's there. When times got tough for PC's, instead of converting it into a laptop plant, they locked the place down. They are made in China and Malaysia. This was a clear spit into the workers faces there, who happened to be working for an American company. I suppose you're wondering by now what this has to do with Google. They're over there doing business, too. I'm not the only person in this thread (and in the forum membership) who has a strong distaste for Google. Too, it is in their plans to form an OS, and to spread it through netbooks and possibly smartphones. Microsoft currently has around 92% of the world's computing population, and is in firm control of the scene. Google will end up being another Linux (with less than 1% of all users) and should they flop (they will), their credibility is on the line here. Bing will gain ground, and Google will steadily slide. With all of their money, their name, and over 92% of the world's computing population on their side, anyone who tries to startup a company to compete with Microsoft will be smashed to the ground, no two ways about it. Remember the browser wars of the 90's? Although Netscape put up a fight, they finally were smashed into the ground and had no choice but to give up. The same thing will happen when Google throws itself into the OS business. But as far as their browser is concerned, I have rights, and I choose not to have it on my computer. No one can force me to use their browser. I live in a free country, and am proud of it.

 

[mattweed9]

I am starting to believe you are in your own little world.

From my view of things, it would seem as though Google is the only company that can compete with Microsoft, and has any real chance of doing so. I don't think they will "slip in to the 1% like Linux" which is crap as well, Linux is becoming more popular, not less.

Will Google's OS fail? God I hope so, I don't think I like the whole cloud computing idea. Even if they do fail, it won't send them crashing in to the ground and be their end. They are a major player now a days.

As for browser wars, I don't recall one. I am sure however that if there was one, Microsoft's IE didn't win. I don't know anyone really who solely uses just IE, and I know a lot more who completely remove it from there computers and use Firefox or now Chrome.

 

[clifford_cooley]

I don't know anyone really who solely uses just IE

I do. In fact it has been that was since Netscape quit updating.

 

[Thrax]

ChromeOS won't fail any more than it will succeed. Like all netbooks preloaded with Linux-based distros, they will cater to a small section of the population that know what they're looking for. It's the same reason why we have very inexpensive cars, and very expensive cars. In other words: The right OS for the right person.