Google data merge a privacy threat?
 

I've already noticed that the ads on google are aimed directly at me (or my browsing history) and many are saying it's a privacy threat. To me it's high tech spam.
The amount google tries to track me, according to ghostery, is incredible.
Gmail users probably got a notice about the new privacy policy this AM, goes into effect March 1st, there is no op-out on this.

I'm thinking of dumping google and gmail and going with duckduckgo as my search engine. What would be a good one for my email?

Google data merge called privacy threat - Technology & Science - CBC News

This ones a pretty big deal.

Up till now the google services have been relatively autonomous. After March 1 everything google related will be lumped together.

The goal is to end up with something closer to Facebook, not so much on the front end but under the hood.

For mail just register yourself a domain name and get a hosted webmail account. We're talking a couple of bucks a month.

it'll just be a few more years until we get to Minority Report. personalized commercials based on retina scans.

Read "Scroogled" by Cory Doctorow

http://blogoscoped.com/archive/2007-09-17-n72.html

Jeez, if I don't clear out my cookies for awhile it seems like I look at ads for whatever I've searched before already. It's like the ads on PPOT pages that refer to topics on the page.

If it gets worse, I guess clear out the cookies every day?

FireFox + ABP = WIN

AdBlock Plus is so effective they've changed the default setting to allow "non-intrusive" advertising; I recommend turning off that checkbox.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/adblock-plus/

I didn't even know that YouTube had ads until I heard someone whinging about it.

I already do that with Ccleaner every night.

I was going to start a thread on this subject, thanks Mark.

I dumped Google (yesterday) and started fooling around on Bing (work computer, can't upload anything, use firefox at home).

I will check out duckduckgo.

Wife uses Yahoo mail so I have an account there... it is not great (as good or better than gmail) but what do you want for nothing. :D

I keep this to myself to avoid roll eyes, but I think Google Earth/street view is a horrendous invasion of privacy and this merge issue is just another step toward hell.

A tech told me a couple summers ago that Google keeps track of every keystroke you make.

20 Years ago I remember a tech telling us that a computor is an information gathering device that could be used against you one day.

So what free email would guys recommend?

I waiting for the techie youngins to chime in with "privacy is dead... all you data is online anyway... resistance is futile!"

I don't see this stuff getting any better as time goes on.

Bing=Microsoft, I suspect they'll be doing their best to do the same thing. Also, it's funny that there are rumors that Bing uses Google to get search results.

Even if it's not using your login as you go from page to page to page, "they" can still track you. Your browser has a "fingerprint". The fingerprint has to do with things like your screen resolution, which addons you have installed and their versions, etc.... There is a lot of information that can be garnered from a simple script when you browse to a webpage.


Panopticlick
Panopticlick | Self-Defense
Browser Fingerprints: A Big Privacy Threat | PCWorld

Do any of you have a frequent shopper card at various stores so you get a small discount on food? Those are used to track your purchases.

I wonder if/when the US is going to implement the CCTV system like they have in places in the UK?

My copilot loves google and does everything on their site.... email, docs, calendar and so on.

Not me, do not feel comfortable giving anyone access to all of my data...

Well it's well known that when you enter information at a site the data is captured even if you decide not to submit it.

Not just that but also the coupons that come to your house.

For example, Bed Bath and Beyond coupons have a barcode.

I can always tell when my wife has recently shopped there as new coupons start showing up in waves.

Man ,you and I are on the same page .
I just wrote all that about discount grocery store cards tracking you but then thought maybe I shouldn't write anymore and just delete this and did. Then read your post lol.about even if you don't submit it they get it .guess they got that info anyway.

But your right ,gas cards ,credit ,everything is being tracked and everything is connected.
That's one reason the Gov wants to get rid of cash.

BTW. still get a good laugh every time I read that "I want my two dollars"

"I want my two dollars."

Where is that?

Pick your evil. Google? MS? Apple? Which one do you trust the most and which the least? I don't use much of Google services other than calendar after switching to Android but this new merge has me thinking about alternatives. I could just go back to the Apple universe. Mail is less of an issue as I run my own domains. I suppose I could use my work calendar for everything but I prefer to keep separate ones. Anyone have a good cloud/shared calendar that will sync between a mac and android phone?

I read the email from Google. I missed what the concept is of a "merge." Anyone?