petersaville.net

Apparently, according to the register dot com, more than three quarters of web surfers don't realize Google records and stores information that may identify them This suggests that the battle for internet privacy is far from over.

The websites around the world that link into the largest web search engine, Google maintains a lifetime cookie that expires in 2038, and records the user's IP address. But more recently it has begun to integrate services which record the user's personal search history, email, shopping habits, and social contacts.

After first promising not to tie its email service to its search service, Google went ahead and opted its users in anyway. The conundrum for Google now is does it come clean with the data it stores about users, or does it simply hope that the majority of users don't care?

I certainly do care, I feel that Google should be telling users exactly what information that it does collect about its users. Many people utilize cookie cleaners to make sure sites like Google do not have the opportunities to keep such records, however, then become increasing frustrated when sites slow down or do not supply the correct information or layout.

In the survey, 56 per cent of users said Google should not turn over information to the Government, and only 14 per cent were happy for Google to turn over information even in criminal cases.

SOURCE: www.theregister.com

# posted by Peter Saville - IT Consultant @ 1:39 AM