How much do you (dis)trust Google ?

bonzodog2

Microsoft slings mud at Google Chrome
Accuses browser rival of 'stealing privacy' linky

James Forde

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7yfV6RzE30&feature=player_embedded

liah

Christ almighty. A lot of you belong in Conspiracy Theories.

I use gmail, gtalk (rarely) and chrome. I don't care if they track my web history and I don't care what they know about me. I don't have anything to hide and I know that chances are, even if I did have something to hide, they have billions upon billions of people to sort through that've probably done way worse things than me.

It's not like they're the government for god's sake. You're not trapped by them or anything. They do something fishy you can just switch services and the problem's gone. But they haven't done anything yet that would lead me to do so.

And for the people who said stuff like "well they're only doing things for their interests, not yours!!11" well no shït, Sherlock, they're a business, they have to benefit themselves first in order to benefit us. Kind of a "duh" moment there.

People, there's bigger things to worry about than Google tracking your porn habits. Stop being so vain. Grow up and get over it.

biko

Google can track my porn habits?
Gdammit!

Mark200

bonzodog2 wrote: »

Microsoft slings mud at Google Chrome
Accuses browser rival of 'stealing privacy' linky

Did you read all of the article? Google uses this information to suggest webpages that the user might be looking for, or searches that the user may want to make. Any Chrome user would know this instantly.

And are you really surprised that the "Internet Explorer product manager" is the one leading these accusations?

Naikon

LOL @ Microsoft bitching about Chrome. I use Chrome and gmail on Linux because they just work. As If Microsoft would spare a thought when it comes to security issues.
They are the laughing stock of the software industry at this point. Technical, not financial that is. Microsoft/IE can take the finger from myself at this stage. Maybe Microsoft
feels the need to bash other competition because it will make a dent in their market share? History would certainly suggest their bullying tactics.

It's all slowly downhill from here for arrogant Microsoft. There are aware of this fact, are pissed, and need a few scapegoats to blame it all on. Thats how it reads.

Sofaspud

People go on as if they're being constantly monitored by google.

They'd probably need a team of 10 to keep up with the amount of porn I look at on a daily basis. That's probably true of most of the men on the internet, so google would need a huge number of staff to catch up with it.

Duggy747

To be honest I don't care if google know what porn I look up, it'll be nothing compared to the truly bizzare stuff other people tug off to...............though I do look that stuff up, too...............you know, curiousity killed the cat and all that!.....................*cough*

There really is a fetish for everything! People getting orgasms from farts Tips on how to perserve poo in containers for....eh......future use.

Heh, I've a housemate who covers his webcam cuz he thinks the internet is watching him :pac:

Though I suppose this guy had no idea that his webcam has been streaming for over a year and still is: http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/1671/20090318145611.jpg He's become a Truman Show of sorts.

bonzodog2

Duggy747 wrote: »

To be honest I don't care if google know what porn I look up, it'll be nothing compared to the truly bizzare stuff other people tug off to...............though I do look that stuff up, too...............you know, curiousity killed the cat and all that!.....................*cough*

There really is a fetish for everything! People getting orgasms from farts Tips on how to perserve poo in containers for....eh......future use.

Heh, I've a housemate who covers his webcam cuz he thinks the internet is watching him :pac:

Yeah, I know a guy like that too :rolleyes:

Though I suppose this guy had no idea that his webcam has been streaming for over a year and still is: http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/1671/20090318145611.jpg He's become a Truman Show of sorts.

Not sure what he has in his right hand, or what the fork is for,......FFS

Duggy747

bonzodog2 wrote: »

Not sure what he has in his right hand, or what the fork is for,......FFS

Well the site I first saw the link on just showed him working away on his laptop, making odd faces and frequently picking his nose. Eventually he copped onto the fact that we could see him and he doesn't seem too bothered about it. (He even made a YouTube vid to say hello to us and tell us his name)

There's plenty of streaming webcams / security cameras you can access if you use the right Google keywords, these are obviously ones that aren't password protected. The latest odd one is a fat bloke who goes around his house in only a bra :eek:

Pyr0

I like Google, I really couldn't give a sh!t if they know what sites I view.

Oh noes, they know I look at porn !

orourkeda

It always comes up trumps for squirt porn. 3 million sites without fail. I trust google with my life when it comes to pornography.

Chet Zar

I always have to smile when people start talking about not trusting Google and how they are collecting data on you and know everything about you - as if what you do or what sites you look at are of major interest or anything special as compared to the hundreds of millions of other people searching for more or less the same stuff!!

Gallant_JJ

Myself, the woman and the ould lad use this computer, God google are going to be confused!

Piste

Ok I get that google knows loads about me, why should I be worried? It doesn't seem a big deal really!

--LOS--

google surveillance is reaching an insane level, I do get sick of all the person specific crap, but then again there are ways to avoid this like using the No Country Redirect and by disabling your web history and not saving your google chats. I just wish there was a way to stop that whole delay with the top toolbar on the google homepage, thats so irritating.

--LOS--

Deleted User wrote: »

I like that people think Google give a fuk about their private lives because it makes be feel superior to their retarded minds.

I don't think it's that people give a damn that google know what kinky sh1t they look up, it's more that they monitor you to the point where they almost control what you do....what you see, what news you hear etc.

Piste

I havent noticed any restriction on what I can access.

--LOS--

its more like manipulation.

landsleaving

http://www.lycos.com/

Rabies

ha ha... This is funny.

Go back a few years and everyone hated Microsoft, but praised Google and their innovation.

Now look it at.

Comical.

--LOS--

--LOS-- wrote: »

I don't think it's that people give a damn that google know what kinky sh1t they look up, it's more that they monitor you to the point where they almost control what you do....what you see, what news you hear etc.

No I don't.

Zascar

Pfft, a lot of people wearing tinfoil hats around here, it's silly really. Most members of boards.ie give away far more about themselves from the thousands of posts on various subject forums, which is 100% completely free and open for anyone in the world to read at any time, and pretty much will be forever. You should be far more worried about that than what Google might do with your search history.

Hagar

But people keep saying that Google is my friend? I feel used and betrayed.
You have ruined Easter for me you baxtards.:mad:

_tony_

Google are big enough that they don't care if you use bing or can block them with a tin foil hat. There's enough other people out there like you that they will get.

The vast majority of people don't care (or know) what Google knows about them. In a few more years, when Google has it's internet provider business running here, and when VoIP starts replacing landlines they will know us all quite well. They'll know every website you are looking at, every email, they'll be 'scanning' your phone calls, text messages (they already do this with android i think?), medical history (already doing this in the US), etc. . You'll find your doctor telling you that you have some condition and google will be there on your phone - advertising you a cure

The good part of it all tho is that they provide good services - Gmail is popular because it's one of the best out there, their search is obviously great, android is a great addition to the mobile phone/tablet market, and I have no doubt when they start selling broadband here they will give the best speeds for the best price..so sign me up

--LOS--

Deleted User wrote: »

No I don't.

no you don't...........what?

bonzodog2

Zascar wrote: »

Pfft, a lot of people wearing tinfoil hats around here, it's silly really. Most members of boards.ie give away far more about themselves from the thousands of posts on various subject forums, which is 100% completely free and open for anyone in the world to read at any time, and pretty much will be forever. You should be far more worried about that than what Google might do with your search history.

Even though my username is only an online persona, I would have no problems with anything I have posted here, or on other forums, being linked to my real-life identity. The same might not be so true for links I have visited or searches I have made.

Pyr0

bonzodog2 wrote: »

Even though my username is only an online persona, I would have no problems with anything I have posted here, or on other forums, being linked to my real-life identity. The same might not be so true for links I have visited or searches I have made.

What are they gonna do ? Print off all the information they've gathered on you and mail them to your friends and family to shame you or something ?

If you've nothing to hide, you've nothing to fear !

Davidius

They're just another company as far as I'm concerned and their business model doesn't seem supervillain-y enough for me to worry.

A note on that "nothing to hide; nothing to fear" line. Sounds great and all but a lot of people do have something to hide. Things that are perfectly legal but also very private, nobody likes the idea of being potentially blackmailed.

Piste

That's true, I mean I don't do illegal stuff (ok I break the odd red light, hardly Dr. Evil behaviour!) but I'm sure there's stuff cached online that has the potential to be somewhat embarrassing and awkward if it came up. Not big enough to lose me any friends, but enough that people could bring it up and slag me in front of others. Trivial, annoying, petty things I'd rather not be out there. I doubt google cares about any of that though. They're not going to invest any time or money into embarrassing a teenage girl!

halkar

Add below to your hosts file and enjoy google free life
127.0.0.1 pagead.googlesyndication.com
127.0.0.1 pagead2.googlesyndication.com
127.0.0.1 googleads.g.doubleclick.net
127.0.0.1 www.google-analytics.com
127.0.0.1 partner.googleadservices.com

if you dont know what hosts file is google it :P

cafecolour

I don't think it's Google in particular, but many companies are increasingly eager to gather extensive information.

Governments are increasingly eager - especially the US - to subpoena such information and/or monitor it for 'criminal' behavior.

Am I worried now? No. But I don't think there's any harm in keeping a spotlight on these issues so both companies and governments don't keep pushing for more and more.

Carl Sagan

Imagine a world without search engines.

I for one, wouldn't want to live in said world.

--LOS--

--LOS-- wrote: »

no you don't...........what?

My username went straight over your head.

Chuchoter

I use google and I'm on Chrome, but recent experiences have freaked me out a bit. They record all the websites you've been to and you can't erase the information they have and if a search term in relation to your name comes up that has no relation to your name in any way, its really hard to get rid of.

Mark200

crayolastereo wrote: »

I use google and I'm on Chrome, but recent experiences have freaked me out a bit. They record all the websites you've been to and you can't erase the information they have and if a search term in relation to your name comes up that has no relation to your name in any way, its really hard to get rid of.

What are you talking about when you say they record all websites you've been to? If you're talking about Chrome, yes you can delete it. If you're not talking about Chrome, then I don't see how they'd know what websites you've been to.

opinion guy

I am now entirely creeped out by google and its stalker enabling-ness (ok Mr gunn is a helpful chap and not a stalker, but its proof of principle):

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=65276175&posted=1#post65276175

Piste

Google Alerts are nothing new, my mum's had one on "Lord of the Rings" for years.

recylingbin

I own shares in google.
Use their stuff, you *****.
And use it more frequently than you have been doing.

opinion guy

recylingbin wrote: »

I own shares in google.
Use their stuff, you *****.
And use it more frequently than you have been doing.

Yes sir Mr Google sir. I'm sorry sir Mr Google sir. Please sir can I have another ?

Herbal Deity

Naikon wrote: »

LOL @ Microsoft bitching about Chrome. I use Chrome and gmail on Linux because they just work. As If Microsoft would spare a thought when it comes to security issues.
They are the laughing stock of the software industry at this point. Technical, not financial that is. Microsoft/IE can take the finger from myself at this stage. Maybe Microsoft
feels the need to bash other competition because it will make a dent in their market share? History would certainly suggest their bullying tactics.

It's all slowly downhill from here for arrogant Microsoft. There are aware of this fact, are pissed, and need a few scapegoats to blame it all on. Thats how it reads.

Win 7 is awesome. .NET is awesome. MS aren't going anywhere.

evolutionqy7

lol well your getting google for "free"...google doesnt cost you money but it costs you date they store from you so its up to you to decide weather you want to pay them or not

Prof.Badass

I don't trust google at all. I use their seach engine but that's it (and if i ever had to search something dodgy (not nessecarily illegal but still a dodgy topic) I'd use scroogle. Not that i go around doing dodgy things irl, but curiosity is never a bad thing and the more information you have on the world the more of an informed life you can live.

It's not really about any fear about them going after me specifically, it's more about not agreeing with the princilpe of the whole thing. Imo, use of google services will come back to bite a small number of people in the ass in the future, probably with career-destroying results , maybe even with legal implications- I know it seems far-fetched now, but you need to bear in mind these worst case scenarios when deciding on basic principles such as privacy. Who's to say what the world will be like in 30/40 years time? Only an idiot would think that an oppressive authoritarian regime could never come to power for the rest of mankinds future. Even in our current situation there's potential for this information to be abused.

I remember i was going to set up a gmail account and I couldn't without giving a mobile phone number....wtf? i wouldn't even give my real name to a website.
It's worth bearing in mind that you're not releasing this information out into the world for everyone, you're giving it to a small group of people to use for their own financial gain.

evolutionqy7

lol well that looks like paranoia just clear you cookies and get advanced system care and they will clean all your privacy

Piste

There are perfectly legitimate reasons for most of the things anyone googles. So much can be explained by "I heard it mentioned by a friend" "I was searching for a newspaper article" or "it was for medical reasons". I have searched for tons of dodgy-looking things due to college.

orourkeda

Type in porn and you get 226 Million matches.

Any site that can do this is a winner in my book.

recylingbin

opinion guy wrote: »

Yes sir Mr Google sir. I'm sorry sir Mr Google sir. Please sir can I have another ?

Good man.
That's the kind of attitude that will see me retired in Cuba with a glass bottomed boat.

The rest of you take note.