Google is the devil!

[Bustin_86]

Interesting reading, what do you guys think?

Google is evil? (http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2006/11/google.html)

Cheers,

Justin

[Driftspec]

I know that Google spelt backwards is Elgoog, and that sounds scary and evil...

Really, its not much worse than Windows XP and Vista activation procedure. Microsoft know (basically) what machine you are running, what software you are running, whether it is legit or not, as well as your personal details (if you decide to register). The web opens up so many opportunities for people to be tracked, and you don't even know it. Realistically, Google won't do anything with the data they have, they would be stupid to do so.

[Bustin_86]

Google can attain a lot through the results of searches, personal information, preferences, personal issues, afflictions, interests, demographic information, the list goes on. Its not just limited to name and location, and the purposes for information like that is limitless.

No offence man, but did you actually read the whole article? Its pretty long but very worth it http://www.ae86drivingclub.com.au/forums/emoticons/smile.gif Well i thought so. Google has been issued with several subpoenas from branches of the law, and have supplied search results, possibly IP's and who knows what else to these people. So they have set the precedence. Its not that much more of a stretch of the imagination to think that they also supply, or leak, to private firms or other branches of the government with this information.

I dont mean to sound like a crazy conspiracy theorist lol, but i just find it interesting! And slightly distrubing that google has this power, and that it continues to grow (their power) with each new technological revolution, ie wifi etc.

[Driftspec]

Sadly, I was only at dial-up speed at uni so no, I didn't get to read it all http://www.ae86drivingclub.com.au/forums/emoticons/sad.gif

Looking at it now, I agree they have the power to do a lot of things. Its not a stretch of the imagination; its a reality. Those google ads you see on webpages are an example of it (your search results or the webpage you visit generate the ads). But, any search engine is able to hold these results. Hell, the search on this forum can tie what you search for, to you. It just that Google is on a much larger scale, thus the possibilities are larger.

I still say that it is similar to what Microsoft do with their activation policy. What about other search engines, web-based email (Hotmail and Messenger anyone?). Its a case of remembering that as part of the design of computer systems in general, from the low-level up to the most user-friendly systems, that redundant information is always exchanged and can be stored, analysed and acted upon. Its not limited too Google, but yes Google is a very good example on how the collection of data on a large scale can be used for various purposes.

[Bustin_86]

She's all good lol. Didnt mean to be rude mate, just waht you said didnt really align with the info i got out of the article, thought i might of been reading it wrong http://www.ae86drivingclub.com.au/forums/emoticons/tongue.gif

Would redundant information for those programs be classified as any sent/received email though, like Gmail?

I think google is in a position to abuse this "popularity power" very badly http://www.ae86drivingclub.com.au/forums/emoticons/tongue.gif

Government monitoring FTL.

[Konakid]

Very interesting article, can't believe they keep records of all the IP numbers of people who search, what is the point? They should definately not be able to keep such personal details. Targeted advertising is bullshit also, just an excuse to gain more private information from people.

And the G Mail thing? How the hell can they do that? Keep records of everyones sent and recieved emails, can't believe that.
Surely thats a massive breach of privacy laws?!

[wooley]

And the G Mail thing? How the hell can they do that? Keep records of everyones sent and recieved emails, can't believe that.
Surely thats a massive breach of privacy laws?![/b]

i think i may stop using gmail now...

then again ninemsn/hotmail probably do exactly the samething.

along with yahoo aol etc.

[Bustin_86]

Anyone who has a vested interest i suppose lol...

Konakid, i was also surprised that they are allowed to get away with this! but then again, if they are supplying government with information it wouldn't surprise me.

[Driftspec]

She's all good lol. Didnt mean to be rude mate, just waht you said didnt really align with the info i got out of the article, thought i might of been reading it wrong http://www.ae86drivingclub.com.au/forums/emoticons/tongue.gif

Would redundant information for those programs be classified as any sent/received email though, like Gmail?

I think google is in a position to abuse this "popularity power" very badly http://www.ae86drivingclub.com.au/forums/emoticons/tongue.gif[/b]

Yeah she's sweet man, I would have said the same http://www.ae86drivingclub.com.au/forums/emoticons/smile.gif

Redundant information is more like IP addresses, connection speeds etc which can be ripped or derived from data sent over the internet. Any machine connected to the internet generally maintains a list of connections being made to the outside world. Webservers are a direct connection to the world (with firewalling/filtering, obivously), so they are able to rip IP addresses, route information etc from packets they receive, and put it in a database, linked to the operation the user is performing. As any machine on the internet stores IP addresses while connected to the internet, it is a logical extension of what can be done.

The point of keeping IP addresses is generally twofold - for logging purposes, where details of service abuse, DoSes (or any attacks in general) are stored, addresses banned from making connections etc. The other purpose is for a network admin - or a software developer - to do whatever they want with them. Its a straightforward process for them to do what they like with the IP addresses that they are recording anyways.

The Gmail issue is not as straightforward. From their terms and conditions, section 5:


Your Intellectual Property Rights. Google does not claim any ownership in any of the content, including any text, data, information, images, photographs, music, sound, video, or other material, that you upload, transmit or store in your Gmail account. We will not use any of your content for any purpose except to provide you with the Service.[/b]

In other words, what is yours, is yours. They don't care what it is you are sending or receiving. However, just above that in the first paragraph of sectio 5:


Intellectual Property Rights. Google's Intellectual Property Rights. You acknowledge that Google owns all right, title and interest in and to the Service, including without limitation all intellectual property rights (the "Google Rights"), and such Google Rights are protected by U.S. and international intellectual property laws. Accordingly, you agree that you will not copy, reproduce, alter, modify, or create derivative works from the Service. You also agree that you will not use any robot, spider, other automated device, or manual process to monitor or copy any content from the Service. The Google Rights include rights to (i) the Service developed and provided by Google; and (ii) all software associated with the Service. The Google Rights do not include third-party content used as part of Service, including the content of communications appearing on the Service.[/b]

In other words, whats theirs is theirs, and you are using it. You would have to assume then, that it is possible for them to examine their service, and the data contained within (emails, attachments etc). But, as part of the service agreement, they have to keep records of all sent and received items until the user deletes them (as you would expect). Make of that what you will.

Targeted advertising is becoming more common, in areas you wouldn't think possible. EA created a furore last year when they said they would bundle software that keeps track of what websites you viewed (ie spyware) with Battlefield 2142, in order to advertise products IN-GAME that were relevant to what you had viewed. Advertising in the IT field, in general, is becoming a big thing. It moves a lot of money, but also becomes a pain in the ass for consumers who are using it.

Personally, I hope that Google follow the moral and ethical 'unwritten laws' that exist within IT, which basically try to prevent this sort of thing happening. But like the article says, when profits and share prices are on the line, it no longer becomes a moral issue, but a business issue. I hope that they don't do anything bad with any data they have/will collect, because it could be quite disastrous.

*sigh* *breathes again*

[Konakid]

Hmm interesting, while i dont think that Google would use the information they gather on your 'average joe' it could be used against people in high positions such as the CEO's of large companies by leaking information that would otherwise be confidential.

Like you said driftspec, morals do get tossed aside when business and definately money is involved.

Bustin 86, Given that so much beind the scene dodgyness http://www.ae86drivingclub.com.au/forums/emoticons/laugh.gif goes on in all governments, I wouldn't be surprised if that is the case. It wouldn't be very hard to keep it a secret from the media and could be quite handy to use as defence or ammunition against certain people or parties.

I guess at the end of the day you gotta question how good technology such as the internet has actually been for society as it has certainly created its own problems as far as virus's, fraud and information leaks are concerned. Will be interesting to see what happens with this....

[aaaaah]

this makes this topic much more entertaining.

http://sites.gizoogle.com/index2.php?url=h...owtopic%3D15336 (http://sites.gizoogle.com/index2.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ae86drivingclub.co m.au%2Fforum%2Findex.php%3Fshowtopic%3D15336)

[outcast350]

Hah! that's awesome.

[lo_rolla]

Fuck it I don't care. I look at porn. I don't do any thing illegal on the net. COuldn't give a fuck if they know where I live.