Changes to Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service

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Baiting Guru Joined: 27 Mar 2011 Posts: 21158

I am not sure where this should be posted but I just got this mail from Giggle. Is there anything here that will give us trouble?

Quote:

Google [email protected] to me

show details 9:11 AM (6 hours ago)

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Dear Google user,

We're getting rid of over 60 different privacy policies across Google and replacing them with one that's a lot shorter and easier to read. Our new policy covers multiple products and features, reflecting our desire to create one beautifully simple and intuitive experience across Google.

We believe this stuff matters, so please take a few minutes to read our updated Privacy Policy and Terms of Service at http://www.google.com/policies. These changes will take effect on March 1, 2012.

One policy, one Google experience
Easy to work across Google Tailored for you Easy to share and collaborate
Easy to work across Google

Our new policy reflects a single product experience that does what you need, when you want it to. Whether reading an email that reminds you to schedule a family get-together or finding a favorite video that you want to share, we want to ensure you can move across Gmail, Calendar, Search, YouTube, or whatever your life calls for with ease.
Tailored for you

If you're signed into Google, we can do things like suggest search queries – or tailor your search results – based on the interests you've expressed in Google+, Gmail, and YouTube. We'll better understand which version of Pink or Jaguar you're searching for and get you those results faster.
Easy to share and collaborate

When you post or create a document online, you often want others to see and contribute. By remembering the contact information of the people you want to share with, we make it easy for you to share in any Google product or service with minimal clicks and errors.
Protecting your privacy hasn't changed

Our goal is to provide you with as much transparency and choice as possible, through products like Google Dashboard and Ads Preferences Manager, alongside other tools. Our privacy principles remain unchanged. And we'll never sell your personal information or share it without your permission (other than rare circumstances like valid legal requests).
Understand how Google uses your data

If you want to learn more about your data on Google and across the web, including tips and advice for staying safe online, check out http://www.google.com/goodtoknow
Got questions?
We got answers.

Visit our FAQ at http://www.google.com/policies/faq to read more about the changes. (We figured our users might have a question or twenty-two.)
Notice of Change

March 1, 2012 is when the new Privacy Policy and Terms will come into effect. If you choose to keep using Google once the change occurs, you will be doing so under the new Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

Please do not reply to this email. Mail sent to this address cannot be answered. Also, never enter your Google Account password after following a link in an email or chat to an untrusted site. Instead, go directly to the site, such as mail.google.com or www.google.com/accounts. Google will never email you to ask for your password or other sensitive information.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 05 Jan 2012 Posts: 38

I was wondering the same thing but I figured anything that affects us also affects the lads.

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 12:55 am

My peeve with them now is trying to change the look of Gmail. I click on "revert to the old look" and the next time I log on it is back to the new stupid look which is hard on my eyes. They keep asking my opinion and I give them my thoughts and yet they persist on foisting this new look on us.

<stepping down off venting soapbox>

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 1:18 am

They seem to be trying to "simplify" their original policy so that it is easier to read. Other than that, I don't really know what's going on. Confused

Master of Master Baiters Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 669

I have only quickly skimmed through the changes, but I am pretty sure I won't be worrying about it too much. Many of the negative reactions I have read were from people who use Google and Google's related services all the time, so I assume they are always logged into an account. For me personally, I only log in when I am checking email. So any sharing of info across services doesn't bother me much.

Hopefully that's all there is to it, but I still need to sit down and really digest it to be sure.

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 1:54 am

I tried to read it but as a non-lawyer my eyes glazed over. Fundamentally, it's like every agreement you have to okay to download anything or even just function online: you essentially have to agree to abandon any privacy. With all these companies, if you want to use their services, you have to let them use your data any way they see fit.

The entire notion of personal privacy as it existed pre-Internet is gone. For those of us who are of an older generation, it's a bit of a shock. For those in my daughter's generation, it's so accepted that people freely post unbelievably personal things all over Facebook and other social networking sites.

When I went into business for myself 20 years ago I set up a PO Box to keep my business separate from my home. Today I still have the box but I often ask myself why I bother; anyone who wants to find my home address can Google it in 3 seconds, and in 3 more seconds can literally look into my front window on street view. If a burglar wanted to case out the area, there are satellite and street views, live traffic maps, locations of the nearest law enforcement, etc. etc. all readily found online. No effort required. Fortunately I don't send tweets letting people I'm at a restaurant or otherwise away from home, which is essentially putting up a "rob me" sign for all the world.

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 4:40 am

^^^ paranoid much?

Just kidding as I understand completely where you are comming from. I use everything you said to stalk the hot chicks I see in Walmart

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 5:06 am

^^^Google can scan your memories of people and look them up now? Laughing

I'm joking, of course. Everyone knows they can only scan objects.

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 5:09 am

I once googled google and 10 min later a man came to my house and punched me in the face...I dont think that was a coincidence

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 6:31 am

Strange... he was supposed to kick you in the 'nads.

Laughing

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 6:42 am

*squints eyes*

and how would you know what they are supposed to do

I'll be watching you

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 9:43 am

On topic please.

I think they are putting into words the way that Google can follow you around the net like a puppy dog, but if you don't want continual ads related to whatever you've been browsing (could be embarrassing), make sure you log out of Gmail, if you use it, don't just close the tab.

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 2:56 pm

Hope this helps break down the new Google policy. I think now I understand it better.

I follow Kim Kommando, who has a US based radio show where she discusses all things electronic. The following is from her newsletter.

Quote:

Unraveling Google's updated privacy policy
QUESTION

Hi Kim. I use Google services all the time - Search and Maps, of course, as well as Docs, Calendar and Finance. I'm concerned about Google's new privacy policy and how the company is going to track me and use my information. Should I be worried? Thanks.
-Sean of Tulsa, OK

Quote:

ANSWER

Thanks for the timely question, Sean, and for tuning in to the show every weekend. I don't think Google's new privacy policy is quite the end of the world, as some critics contend. But the change is important and deserves your attention.

For those who haven't heard, on March 1, 2012, Google will roll out a consolidated privacy policy that covers almost all of its products. Currently, it has more than 70 separate privacy documents!

What this change means in practice is that you'll be treated as a single user across all Google products. All your privacy settings will be the same and all your data will available to every other Google service.

Google says this will create a safer, more intuitive experience for users. With the unified platform, for instance, Maps could automatically provide driving directions based on an appointment you've just made in Calendar.

Your searches can become more contextual. If you watch YouTube videos on healthy cooking, Google Search will return healthy recipes first when searching for new dishes to make. You can decide for yourself whether that's cool or creepy.

But make no mistake: Google is also doing this to bring in more targeted advertising revenue and to compete with rival behemoth, Facebook.

The first thing to note with this change is that it doesn't change Google's data-collection policies. It won't, for example, suddenly start monitoring everything you do online.

Of course, that's because Google has already been monitoring everything you do online for the past seven years. If you're worried about data collection, you're a little late.

To answer the question "What does Google know about me?" go to http://www.google.com/dashboard and sign in. The Dashboard gives you an overview of all your activity through Google. It provides links to adjust your settings, privacy and security for every Google service. Note than when the new privacy policy is in place, this page will be much simpler to use.
It's also important to note that Google isn't going to start selling your information to companies. Google's policy is still to share information only when there's a law enforcement need.

Of course, as I said above, Google does use your information for its own targeted advertising, but that isn't new. So, what is everyone upset about?
Well, there is no way to opt out of the new privacy system and stick with the current arrangement. Some people find the examples I gave above very creepy and don't want that level of integration.

They worry what might happen if a third party gets ahold of their consolidated information. Forget advertisers - think about hackers or the government.

I'm not too terribly concerned. As I said, Google has stored all this information for years anyway with few snafus. As long as it maintains its current security and privacy policies, there shouldn't be a problem.
If the new privacy policy makes you uncomfortable, however, your only option is to move away from Google products.

Use Yahoo! or MapQuest for mapping. Stick with Facebook and Twitter instead of Google+ for social networking. Fire up Microsoft Bing for searches.
If you want to stick with Google for searching and can't bear to give up YouTube, that's not a problem. Just don't log in. When you're logged out, your activity won't be associated with your user account.

There's another benefit of diversification: If hackers one day managed to breech Google's network, those other accounts on other servers would be safe. If you're only worried about the increase of targeted advertising, pay a visit to Google's Ad Preferences Manager at https://www.google.com/settings/ads. It allows you to opt out of targeted ads both when you're signed in and signed out.

You'll still see Google ads when you visit other sites and blogs. However, they'll be more generic and you won't get that creepy feeling that you're being followed around.

What about such services as Docs, Calendar and Finance? If you want to ditch them, you'll need to remove all of your data from Google's servers.
Visit Google's data liberation page. Click on any product link and you'll receive directions about how to download your data and remove it from Google. Then download one of these programs to use instead.

The Internet can be a confusing and dangerous place. Here are a few more ideas that will help keep your Web browsing safe and enjoyable.

• When you're on the Internet, you're just one deceptive link or download away from inadvertently putting malware on your computer. Protect yourself with free and effective programs in my Security Center.

• Every business wants to be at the top of a Google search. I tell you how to get there in this tip.

• How does Google's Chrome browser compare to Firefox and Internet Explorer? I compare them for you.

If you are interested in more of Kim's tips, her name is Kim Kommando and you can google her for her website.

Baiting Guru Joined: 27 Mar 2011 Posts: 21158

^Thank you for that Morgain! I used to follow that site.

On a side note, it seems that the phishers are using something similar in Yahoo. I found 2 messages there this morning telling me my email was suspended until I updated my information.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 23 Jan 2012 Posts: 2

Quote:

Use Yahoo! or MapQuest for mapping. Stick with Facebook and Twitter instead of Google+ for social networking. Fire up Microsoft Bing for searches.

Or you could just, you know, not use the internet. But that would be silly.

Baiting Guru Joined: 03 May 2007 Posts: 18313

There are a ton of articles and discussions about this online. My favorite was a Tweet I saw that said "Google: All your data are belong to us".

@Morgain: I'm with you on the new gmail changes. Evil or Very Mad

I've given them "feedback" repeatedly as well. I hate the new format; it's much harder to tell which mails are read or unread.
And, I'll also mention that I don't like the new Facebook Timeline. Why do they keep "fixing" things? Confused

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 9:52 pm

"Google: All your data are belong to us"

I feel so OLD

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 23 Jan 2012 Posts: 2

Ima Baeder wrote:

There are a ton of articles and discussions about this online. My favorite was a Tweet I saw that said "Google: All your data are belong to us".

@Morgain: I'm with you on the new gmail changes. Evil or Very Mad

I've given them "feedback" repeatedly as well. I hate the new format; it's much harder to tell which mails are read or unread.
And, I'll also mention that I don't like the new Facebook Timeline. Why do they keep "fixing" things? Confused

Facebook is all about advertising, there's no other conceivable reason for it to exist. So these guys want to make it easier for companies to try to sell you crap, by painting a more complete picture of your time on facebook, and not just recently. This is why I no longer have a facebook.

Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 12:58 pm

What's starting to bug me now is how many times they keep sending the same notice. I have a lot of Gmail baiting accounts so I thought it was just that they were hitting each of them, but no, I realized they're sending them over and over.

I just looked in my main account, they've emailed me the same exact notice 7 times in the past 2 days. And it's not that I'm simply deleting them unread; I did read the first one but they still keep sending them every few hours. Evil or Very Mad

I guess I'm going to have to set up a word filter to flag them as spam.

EDIT: it's been 2 hours and I just got another one in the same box. That's 8 in less than 2 days now.... I finally did create a filter to trash them automatically from now on. This is ridiculous.

Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 10:12 pm

I have started using the report spam button on them. Wonder if it will make their servers explode if enough people flag mail from them as spam? Laughing

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