Privacy on the Internet

Google changed their privacy policy or simplified as they told their users. If you are a Google user then there is a very high chance you are aware of it and also that you are not in agreement with the changes they made.

You are not alone. AdWeek is publishing articles for the public to keep up with the heat Google is getting over this change in privacy policy. The FTC is being pressured into giving Google grief over this policy change. And for good reason. It is likely that the new privacy policy is an infringement on the agreement that Google originally formed with the FTC. Googlers are concerned that they have been told one thing while business partners of Google are being told another.

Search Engine Watch is another site that keeps a few eyes on Google. The link will take you to an article about a change Google made before this privacy policy but is relevant to privacy. For webmasters it is important to know how people get to your site when they come from a search engine. What keywords commonly bring people to your site and what are the alternative keywords that bring people in less often. Knowing the alternatives allows a webmaster to optimize the site so they will appear for more robust search terms. Now, Google decided that if a person was logged into Google then webmasters will not be allowed to see their keywords, even when using Google Analytics (A popular tool to accomplish the previously mentioned task).

At first you may say well, that is not so bad because I don't want people seeing all my personal details. Unfortunately, these are not your personal details; this is just a way for an audience analysis without sending out surveys and holding interviews and focus groups. It is cost effective and does not bother users. In fact it allows people starting up a website to figure out how to become more successful and not get drowned out by powerhouse, fortune 500 or popular, companies.

Ok, now to tackle the real issue, your privacy on the Internet. One of the main problems associated with Googles new policy is where it sets the reasonable expectation for privacy on the Internet. This is a huge concept when dealing with personal or sensitive information. If Google is going to lower the bar for privacy expectations will this ultimately give the government or other companies power we do not want them to have? What sort of long term effects does this have real potential of having? (Yes, I am getting close to the slippery slope but think about whether or not you think there may be some hidden danger no person expects, possibly not even Google.)

On a quasi-relevant note, organizations like law firms, doctors, and others that deal with client confidentiality need to get their mail off Google if that is how they currently communicate with their clients and have confidential information going back and forth. That is the next big lawsuit waiting to happen. "My doctor didn't keep my health records private because he used Google mail and they have leaked out all over the Internet now" a wordy headline but imminent.