Google Amps Up Privacy Protections

Search engine vows to 'radically redesign' security features

By Dustin Lushing, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 13, 2007 11:29 AM CDT

(Newser) – 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.

Google altered its security setup only 4 months ago after taking flak from a group of privacy officials who advise the EU. But the inspectors demanded more changes yesterday, just as a top watchdog group released a report ranking Google worst in privacy out of 23 major sites. Now the company is doing damage control, say analysts, trying to ensure customers will still buy its corporate motto: "Don't be evil."

[Images (5)]

[Videos (1)]

Google employees Adam Sah, left, and Nicholas Weininger inspect the company's maps program during Google Developer Day 2007 in San Jose, Calif., Thursday, May 31, 2007. The gathering is organized by... (Associated Press)

Catereria area at Google headquarters, Tuesday, May 15, 2007. In its latest attempt to extend its power beyond its Internet-leading search, Google Inc. is introducing a new tool that will make its software... (Associated Press)

Google co-founder Larry Page smiles at news conference at Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., Tuesday, June 12, 1007 to announce an industry initiative aimed at making the world's computers... (Associated Press)

P 500 companies to provide a full picture of executives' compensation - including stock options, bonuses and perks such as country club memberships. (AP Photo/ Lee Jin-man, file) (Associated Press)

A Google sign inside Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., May 30, 2007. Google Inc. bills the latest twist on its online maps as "Street View," but it looks a bit like "Candid Camera" as you... (Associated Press)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Google Accused of Eroding Privacy (openflows (YouTube))

View larger videos >>

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Google Flunks Privacy Probe

"Don't be evil" motto questioned after search giant rated worst on web for user protection

(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. More»

Search Engines Improve Privacy Policies

Sites, government still have some work to do, study finds

(NEWSER) - 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

Imagemakers offer services to improve web persona and dodge bloggers

(NEWSER) - 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»

Feds Launch Search Into Google Deal

FTC starts preliminary antitrust probe into $3 Billion DoubleClick buy

(NEWSER) - 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»

Google Privacy Shift Makes Android an Info Gold Mine

Google can collect all kinds of data to share with other platforms

(NEWSER) - Google's controversial new privacy policy could have an especially big impact on people carrying around Google in their pockets. Google will in March begin sharing info it collects across its platforms when users are signed in—and Android users essentially always are. "I guess it's theoretically possible to use an Android device without being logged on," one privacy advocate tells the Washington Post , "but that wouldn't be much of a smartphone." More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. 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 »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Google Amps Up Privacy Protections