Is Google Spying on You? Yep!
I just got an email from Google in regards to their new “interest-based advertising” program, and it appears that Google is spying on it’s users…
“Interest-based advertising will allow advertisers to show ads based on a user’s previous interactions with them, such as visits to advertiser website and also to reach users based on their interests (e.g. “sports enthusiast”). To develop interest categories, we will recognize the types of web pages users visit throughout the Google content network. As an example, if they visit a number of sports pages, we will add them to the “sports enthusiast” interest category.”
From what I’m reading, Google is tracking which websites you visit and using that information to classify you (and your computer) with specials interest categories.
I checked out the Google Privacy Policy and it looks like Google recently made some changes to the policy (it was last updated on 3/11/2009) in order to start collection this information about your web activity:
“…To serve ads that are relevant and tailored to your interests, we may use information about your activity on AdSense partner sites or Google services that use the DoubleClick cookie…We use cookies, web beacons or other technologies to record information about what ads your browser is shown, as well as what ads you click and other actions you take on our sites and services…”
Big Brother is watching!
Kind of old news, and this didn’t begin with Google. AOL and Compuserv also had the ability to track this type of activity. Any web-based email system has access to your email, and the traffic. Any ISP can/could track your behavior, it’s not like this is something new.
How long have we known about root kits, malware, “voice dialers”, double-click.net, punkbuster etc.
The only way to protect yourself completely is to cancel your internet subscription.
OMGSH SO GAY!
Ahahaha, stalkers.
I officially hate google
Google is always spying on us :p
Note@Reality: Are you stupid? the AOL search is powered by Google.
But your right, this is old news. Google has been watching for a while, and my brother claims to have seen something on G4 about google being in alot of trouble for spying on users.
I’m switching to Ask.com
IS GOOGLE EVIL?
BELIEVE IT!