Google 2.0 prepares to come out of the shade

[limpyhobbler]

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/4286b68e-4ccc-11e1-8741-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz1lDtp6XCD

Financial Times take on the Google changes.

A short bit from the middle of article:

...At the beginning of March, a single, simplified approach will replace most of the 70-odd service-specific privacy policies that came before. As the Android example above demonstrates, Google has already broken down the walls between some services to let private information flow freely across its various networks. The privacy spring-cleaning will complete this process and make it explicit.

It will also leave Google with a powerful database of information about its users to sell to advertisers. For the first time, provided you are signed in, your choice of viewing on YouTube will influence the adverts that are served up to you when you are searching on Google.

Once, moves such as these from the dominant internet search company might have seemed almost predatory. Against the backdrop of the impending Facebook IPO, however, they look more defensive. Facebook, after all, has the most powerful integrated database of personal information of any web company – and is quite ready and willing to make that available to advertisers.

Antitrust concerns about Google’s use of its search dominance to favour its other services are also somewhat mitigated by the revolution in online behaviour represented by Facebook. If Google is to stay relevant to its users, it needs to evolve. Competition regulators will be watching closely, but on the principle of “act first, lobby later”, this looks like a sensible approach...

[onehandle]

1. Google 2012 = Microsoft 1990s. The Feds need to get involved. nt

[limpyhobbler]

2. Seems like government is encouraging it because it will make it easier to identify people and snoop.

Google and the government would like us to use one login for everything and consolidate accounts.

Supposedly to make things easier for users and protect us from online crimes.

It will prevent some crime to be sure.

But they don't mention the other side of the equation. What are we giving up? People like to be a able to have multiple accounts because there is some advantage to keeping some things separate. Also people want to be able to preserve some anonymity online so we can speak freely without fear of reprisal.

Extra links:

http://www2.dailyprogress.com/news/2011/jan/23/identity-ecosystem-obamas-plan-internet-control-ar-793477/
http://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2011/01/07/us-commerce-secretary-gary-locke-white-house-cybersecurity-coordinato

[liberal N proud]

3. Provided you are signed in

What happens to users of Google who do not sign in?

And if you have GMail account on your android device does that mean you are signed in?