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Google Reader Sparks Users' Anger Over Privacy

'Shared' items become visible to all contacts

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 27, 2007 9:57 AM CST

(Newser) – A new Google Reader feature that centralizes a user’s favorite blog and web updates is causing an uproar, reports the San Jose Mercury News. Quietly introduced Dec. 14, the feature makes articles marked "shared" visible to all of a user’s contacts—including anyone they’ve ever spoken a word to over Google Talk.

“This is the worst ‘feature’ you have ever introduced,” one reader posted in a Google Group, to much agreement. Google says it intended “transparency” and “user choice” and maintains “shared” has always meant public. One tech expert calls for more user control but also reminds angry users that “when Google says public, Google MEANS public.”

Google CEO Eric Schmidt gestures during a talk in San Jose, Calif., in this Aug. 9, 2006 file photo.  (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, file)
Google CEO Eric Schmidt gestures during a talk in San Jose, Calif., in this Aug. 9, 2006 file photo. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, file)   (Associated Press)
Google reader.
Google reader.   (Flickr)
google-reader-logo
google-reader-logo   (Flickr)
The Google logo is seen on a podium and projected on a screen at Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., Monday, Dec. 10, 2007.(AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
The Google logo is seen on a podium and projected on a screen at Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., Monday, Dec. 10, 2007.(AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)   (Associated Press)
Google Reader Mobile.
Google Reader Mobile.   (Flickr)
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