Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

November 22, 2008 10:43:41 CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Google Flunks Privacy Probe

Posted Jun 11, 07 10:33 CDT in Business,  Technology,  Arts & Living 

(Newser) – Google ranks dead last among Internet sites for protecting user privacy, a new study by watchdog group Privacy International concludes. In its 6-month analysis of top e-commerce, social networking, e-mail, and search sites, PI singled out Google for what it called a "entrenched hostility to privacy," citing fuzzy corporate practice around key issues such as how it handles its users' data.

The report has sparked a war of words between the two organizations, with PI accusing Google of launching a smear campaign against it. But Wired's Cott Gilbertson wonders whether Google's dismal showing matters much at all. Or, he writes, "Is information gathering just so rampant that it isn’t even possible to fight anymore?"

Source Wired

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Search Engines Improve Privacy Policies

    Aug 9, 07 5:06 PM CDT
    Search Engines Improve Privacy Policies Search engines are beginning to take user privacy more seriously, but stronger federal privacy legislation is still necessary, a new study says. In the online marketplace, privacy policies have become competitive factors, with sites one-upping each other to make surfers feel that they're safe and have control over their personal info, says the report by a prominent advocacy group. More »

  • PR Firms Target Customers' Google Reputations

    Jul 2, 07 3:00 PM CDT
    PR Firms Target Customers' Google Reputations If your first hit on Google feels like a mafia hit, don't despair. Firms like ReputationDefender and Reputation Management offer clients an enhanced image on the top search engine by creating links, sites, YouTube videos, and MySpace profiles that promote positive Google results, and lower the pageranks of defamatory comments. More »

  • Google Amps Up Privacy Protections

    Jun 13, 07 11:29 CDT
    Google promised to step up its privacy protection yesterday, after European officials rebuked the search giant for storing data that could reveal political opinions, religious beliefs, and sexual preferences. Google will limit the amount of time it retains user data to 18 months and will "radically design" its cookie system, reducing their expiration time from 30 years to as low as 2. More »

  • Feds Launch Search Into Google Deal

    May 29, 07 4:54 CDT
    The FTC has initiated an antitrust probe into search behemoth Google's $3.1 billion acquisition of a major online ad company, sources tell the New York Times. Both competitors and privacy advocates are chafing at the proposed deal between Google, which stores users' search histories, and DoubleClick, which keeps track of their web use. More »

  (Getty Images)
  (Associated Press)
  (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Privacy International Docs

Threads (
1
 of 3)

Tags

Internet • Google • privacy • email • online advertising • online privacy • search engine • web surfing • e commerce • Privacy International


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Home Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »