Monday July 7, 2008

Google Comes Under Fire For Privacy Issues

Google, in response to pressure from privacy advocates added a link to its homepage that leads users to its privacy center. In order to keep the page consistent, the word Google was dropped to accommodate the addition of the privacy link, keeping the number of words included on the homepage at 28. Google has faced significant pressure over the issue, starting when a reporter for the New York Times asked whether the company was violating California laws by not posting a link to its privacy policy on its homepage. Despite its efforts toward compliance, Google had maintained that it was doing nothing unlawful. Google is also facing static from privacy watchdogs in the UK as it plans to roll out its Google Maps Street View service abroad. Privacy International, which feels techniques to protect the privacy of bystanders may not be enough, is asking that Google provide technical information on the technology it plans to use including face-blurring technology and image removal tools. Google will not launch its Street View service in UK until the firm is comfortable that it complies with local law, including law relating to the display of images of individuals.

http://www.out-law.com/page-9237
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2008/07/google-privacy.html
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/what-comes-next-in-this-series-13-33-53.html
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/04/google-changes-home-page-adding-link-to-privacy-policy/
http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2008/07/pigs_fly_google.html
http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/03/google-you-can-eat-my-cookies-anytime/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9984175-7.html?tag=nefd.top
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7492844.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7488524.stm
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/07/07/google_spycar_slammed/
http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2220905/google-street-view-obscured

Microsoft Rolls Out Secret Search Promotion In Australia

In addition to Microsoft’s Cash back program in the U.S., which provides cash back incentives for purchases made on products found using Microsoft Live Search, Microsoft is now hoping to entice Aussies to search on its nineMSN portal, with a “secret search” promotional contest that awards users with products such as Apple iPods in exchange for using Live Search. Prizes will be awarded in 15-minute windows through the end of July. The Secret Search promotion is the latest move by Microsoft in its effort to attract users to its Live Search service.

http://venturebeat.com/2008/07/02/microsoft-to-aussies-well-give-you-an-ipod-to-use-live-search/
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticleHomePage&art_aid=86062

[edited by: Vanessa_Zamora at 5:20 pm (utc) on July 7, 2008]