Google to Announce More Creepiness

"Privacy changes." With no opt out.

Google will soon know far more about who you are and what you do on the Web.

The Web giant announced Tuesday that it plans to follow the activities of users across nearly all of its ubiquitous sites, including YouTube, Gmail and its leading search engine.

Google has already been collecting some of this information. But for the first time, it is combining data across its Web sites to stitch together a fuller portrait of users.

Consumers won’t be able to opt out of the changes, which take effect March 1.

So they'll be sifting through your emails, for example, to "better tailor ads."

Dear Congress: I know none of us have any money for lobbying, but we do have votes. How about a comprehensive privacy statute? And keep Lamar Smith away from it.

Did you know that Don't be Evil is Google's corporate motto?

Added: "NotCoach" provides this comment:

A thousand times, no. Stop using all Google services if you don't like the privacy concerns. You still have to voluntarily provide information to them. They are not a governmental organization and the feds getting involved will only make things 10,000 times worse.

That's probably right. How often do lawmakers actually get it right?

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posted by rdbrewer at 11:18 AM

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