Google: Privacy doesn’t exist

Interesting information on the Google G1 phone.  I became dis-interested when I learned that it does not have a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack (a la Blackberry phones).  2.5 mm jacks…”that’s so 20th century”, me thinks. 

I would like to hang on to my privacy, but as a society we will keep giving it away for convenience (myself included).  I’m mindful of the privacy aspect, but I do love my technology.  What troubles me is the inevitable occurence where the government will overstep its bounds and seize control of this information, plunging us further into an Orwellian world.  It’s already been moving the boundaries back, see the recent warrantless/illegal phone taps.  Legally, these companies should not have turned over personal information but they did, and they did it with impunity. 

Google G1 Phone: Does it know too much?

• Date: February 11th, 2009
• Author: Michael Kassner

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/networking/?p=981&tag=nl.e102 

At first, I didn’t understand why this was so different from using a normal computer and any one of the many Google services. Then Cauley quoted Rep. Edward Markey D-Mass, former chairperson of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet:

“The Big Brother aspect of it is troubling. Mobile consumers are especially vulnerable. Unlike PCs, cellphones tend to be used by one person exclusively. The information they telegraph on Web browsing, lifestyle and more tends to be “highly personalized.”

Google’s Chrome Needs Detailing

Google’s Beta browser “Chrome” has some concerns:

Privacy: http://www.microsoft-watch.com/content/web_services_browser/chrome_privacy_is_full_of_dents.html?kc=EWWHNEMNL090408EOAD 

Security: http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/Google-Chrome-Security-Features-May-Not-be-Enough-to-Win-Over-Web-Surfers/?kc=EWWHNEMNL090408EOAD 
&
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/Google-Chrome-Browser-Vulnerable-to-Security-Flaw/?kc=EWWHNEMNL090408EOAD

411 – Google Strikes Again

Now Google is rolling out free 411 service - sweet!  In 15 years when Google is taking over the world we’ll probably all complain about them.  But for now…Google=good!