You know you’ve made it when there’s a
page on Wikipedia for you.
I’ve spent countless hours in a
Wikipedia-induced spiral of doom, overwhelming my brain with senseless
knowledge. When I want to learn about something in a concise yet thorough
manner, it’s my favorite site to visit.
Imagine my joy when I Googled* “google
privacy issues,” imagine my excitement in seeing the second result coming from
Wikipedia with the page title “Criticism of Google.” Score. Research done.
*It’s important to note the irony
involved with this post. Spoiler alert: This post is dedicated to Google and
how it gathers data and the privacy problems surrounding the search
engine-turned-ruler of the Internet. As I already mentioned, I used Google to
find more information and sources. It’s almost cruel, using Google to provide
me with information damning Google. I’ll stop now. Googleception.
Obviously, I was just kidding when I said
my research ended at Wikipedia. That would be foolish and I’m sure this post
wouldn’t result in anything beneficial to the reader. I did find the opening
statement interesting:
“Criticism
of Google includes alleged misuse and
manipulation of search results, its use of others' intellectual property,
concerns that its compilation of data may violate people's privacy, censorship
of search results and content, and the energy consumption of its servers as
well as concerns over traditional business issues such as antitrust, monopoly,
and restraint of trade.” (Wikipedia, 2014)
Yikes.
That’s pretty heavy, considering the
sheer power of Google. Unless you live in Pawnee, Indiana, and prefer Alta
Vista, the term ‘Google it’ is most likely a part of your vocabulary.
Like so many Internet favorites
(looking at you, Facebook), Google grew from an idea in a dorm room to the
number one search engine. While at Stanford, Sergei Brin and Larry Page
developed a search engine called ‘BackRub.’ The first center was set up in Page’s
dorm room after they began designing the search tool to connect links between
pages to determine the authority of a website. The man who started Yahoo!,
another Stanford grad, encouraged them to proceed with their idea. Google, Inc.
began in a garage in California and now has more than 50 percent of the total
search market (SubmitToday.com).
When I first started learning about search
engines in elementary school, Google was hardly a consideration. It was all
about Yahoo! or Ask Jeeves. Who didn’t love a butler who brought you search
results? This was also when we had to be ‘taught’ to use a search engine using
plus signs and quotation marks. Less than 20 years later and Google practically
runs my life.
Through my browser, I use Google
constantly for any inquiries. Sometimes even when I’m too lazy to type in the
address. My primary email is through Gmail and I’m a big fan of Google Drive.
The calendar keeps all my events in order and I’m incredibly dependent on
Google Maps. Plus, who doesn’t love YouTube, now in conjunction with Google?
But what does my dependence on Google
mean for my privacy?
Essentially, it means everything. The New York Times said Google continues
“to treat privacy like it was just a silly thing” (Bilton, 2014).
Earlier this year, Google announced new
privacy policies announcing the scanning of email for spam and to improve the
user’s experience (to show relevant ads based on content). If I share something
with one piece of Google (Gmail, YouTube, etc.), it’s available to every other
service as well (Goodale, 2014).
Amid lawsuits about violation of wire
tapping laws, Google quietly unveiled the new policy (Goodale, 2014) that I’m sure
many people didn’t read. The change only made news due to Google’s massive effect
on the Internet.
It’s more than simply mining our
emails. Last year Google admitted it wasn’t just using cameras for Street View
in Google Maps – it also collected data from computers inside the residences,
like passwords and emails. In 2012, the Federal Trade Commission issued its
largest fine of $22.5 million after Google used a code to bypass Apple’s
security with Safari to track user data. This wasn’t the first privacy
agreement violated by the company (Rosenfeld, 2014).
Basically, Google knows a lot about us.
While the services are free, we pay it with our data and personal information
(van Rijmenam, 2014). It’s weird to think about in those terms, but I think
they’re absolutely right. Our history, interests and conversations provide
valuable insight to Google the company and it values our input, even if we hand
it over out of ignorance or begrudging acceptance.
Recently Umbel collected information
and conducted a survey about how Internet users feel about privacy and the Internet.
From the respondents, 45 percent believe the personal information they
disseminate online is safe. Almost 70 percent agree with the notion that the
information they provide is being used for something else online. When asked “to
what extent do you trust [search engines] to protect your personal data?,” they
answered 40 percent (van Rijmenan, 2014).
I’m with the 70 percent who realize
what they provide has additional uses for something else, but it doesn’t
concern me.
Truthfully, I went into this assignment
wondering if this would change my opinion on Google and its data mining. I’m
happy to say I remain as content as ever with the company.
I know you’re relieved as well.
The argument could be made about the
ethics of it all. Google takes a lot of information from us, yes, and sometimes
it isn’t immediately made known what they’re doing. On the other hand, we aren’t
reading the privacy policies. We’re reading articles about the policy updates
and fuming about targeted ads but most people still ‘Google’ something on a
daily basis. If you’re not using your work email, it seems almost outdated to
have anything except a Gmail address.
At times, it feels intrusive, but I
feel this is the way the Internet is going. Google recognizes what needs to be
done and continues to do with no real remorse for its behavior. Google
revolutionized out Internet usage already and it almost seems foolish to stand
in its way and say we won’t stand for this, because we do every single day.
Maybe I’m wrong and the Internet will
move toward a new privacy stance, but when your star player is saying this is
the future, it’s hard to ignore the insight.
Also I love targeted ads and seeing
what Google believes is applicable to my life. I find it amusing and
interesting. Plus, it’s hard to be in marketing and not appreciate the power of
Google.
References
Bilton, N. (2014). The slippery slope
of Silicon Valley. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/27/style/uber-facebook-and-others-bedeviled-by-moral-issues.html?_r=0
Goodale, G. (2014). Privacy concerns?
What Google now says it can do with your data. The Christian Science Monitor.
Retrieved from http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2014/0416/Privacy-concerns-What-Google-now-says-it-can-do-with-your-data-video
Rosenfeld, S. (2014). 4 ways Google is
destroying privacy and collecting your data, Salon. Retrieved from http://www.salon.com/2014/02/05/4_ways_google_is_destroying_privacy_and_collecting_your_data_partner/
SubmitToday.com. (n.d.). The history of
Google: From garage-based business to #1 search engine. Retrieved from http://www.submittoday.com/history_of_google.htm
van Rijmenam, M. (2015). Big data
ethics and your privacy [INFOGRAPHIC]. Smart Data Collective. Retrieved from http://smartdatacollective.com/bigdatastartups/282781/big-data-ethics-how-does-it-affect-your-privacy
Wikipedia. (2014). Criticism of Google.
Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Google
