I seen it on TV recently on a show about search engines. They said that Google saves every search you've ever done. And using stuff like IP tracking and a system by which they can find out what user has used that computer based on the style of typing, in my opinion it could turn into another "big brother is watching". For example the government already would have the power to tell google to show them every search you've ever done. And they could track what websites you've visited. I have nothing to hide or anything, but it's just one of those really contreversial issues that appears to be making headlines. What do you think of this?

If properly implemented, Google could potentially act as a 'national defense' by tracking people who search for things such as things linked to terrorism. In that sense, I think it would be a good thing. But this would require a fair bit of work...

To be honest, I'm a bit lost for words. I'm against them collecting information but if they use that information for good (stopping terrorists, etc...), I would certainly be for it.

It would be interesting to hear some other oppinions on this...

The way I see it is Google offers a service and they can set any conditions on the service they want. Therefore if you don't want Google collecting information on you then simply don't use their service.

I think yahoo does that and even puts a disclaimer when you try to sign up for their yahoo mail account. its one of their conditions in exchneg of a sort of free services.

the vast majority of IP addresses are dynamic, so they would have a hard time tracking every search you have ever done by refrencing it with your IP.

Thier cookie however dosnt expire untill 2038, which is a way they could track you. But just delete the cookie and they cant do anything. Or use FF and select "never accept a cookie from this site".

fascists....

Originally Posted by herbal_ali

fascists....

That was highly intelligent, thank you for enlightening us!

LOL funny thread so far... but seriously, I see what you mean about privacy issues. Whilst I highly doubt they're tracking everything you type despite dynamic IPs in a big-brother like fashion, they are certainly the King of information in this world and wouldn't be surprised if they're using our searches to build anonymous (or not anonymous) profiles for research/advertising.

For example, determining what sort of people do/say this might be interested in a particular project. This was one of the issues raised with gMail...

The situation is worse if you have the Google toolbar installed since it's easier for them (I think) to tie specific searches to the same user.

It's not just Google though. The name of the game now is data and the more data you can have on your customers the more you can understand them and consequently the more money you can ultimately make from them.

I did notice when I signed up for AdSense with Google that I was basically agreeing to let them do anything they wanted with the data they collected from me. I actually hesitated for a few minutes when I read that before agreeing to accept.

All that data collecting is not something I like to see given I'm a supporter of maintaining privacy wherever possible, but I think no matter how we feel it's just something we're going to have to get used to if we want to be online or even offline for that matter (think RFID chips in all the products you buy).

Collecting all that data isn't necessarily bad either if handled properly. It's one of the ways companies know better what new products and technologies we're most likely to want and lets them know where best to research to get us those products and services faster.

think RFID chips in all the products you buy

This thread is making me see black helicopters...RFID has an effective range of about 3 feet. The chip has to physically pass by/through a sensor in order for it to be tracked. They are really only usefull in warehousing situations where all of your product comes in and out through certain predictable pathways. It's also fairly pricy which makes putting a tracker on each individual product (say a toaster or something that you can fit hundreds of on a pallet) very unreasonable, any smart company will track whole pallets of cargo. I know this because I work in a warehouse and oversaw our move from a barcoding system to RFID.

Collecting all that data isn't necessarily bad either if handled properly. It's one of the ways companies know better what new products and technologies we're most likely to want and lets them know where best to research to get us those products and services faster.

I think this is the key. It would not be in Google's best interest to abuse the public's trust because the public is the consumer of their product. Using this information they can better serve the public while lowering costs (which eventually trickles down to lower prices for you).

Sorry for bringing in the helicopters Republikan. You didn't tell them where I am did you? I suppose I was thinking more of what the chips may evolve into. I've probably seen a few too many movies.

My real point with the RFID chips is that all the data collecting is just part of our lives and not really a big deal. I may not want the world to know every purchase I make or every site I visit, but I'm not really worried about people finding out either.

Have to go now. The copters just landed.

Originally Posted by vangogh

The situation is worse if you have the Google toolbar installed since it's easier for them (I think) to tie specific searches to the same user.

which I believe is not far from happening

If you really wanted to though there is always ways around stuff like this, albeit they may be time consuming and requiring a level of expertise well above the average user. The latter is what all this is banking on the shear lack of knowledge most people have about computers.

I mean face it people just dont understand new/current technology and really have no clue what and what not it is capable of. Also people watch way to much Hollywood and since special FX have gotten so good people actually belive it. For example I bet most of you think a bullet will actually travel through water when fired from ashore.

For example I bet most of you think a bullet will actually travel through water when fired from ashore.

Aren't you clever, you've made me look like an ignorant fool! Well, what happens to the bullet? I'm intrigued now!!