Online Policy Primer – Web 506Al BlackAssignment 2

Google is the world’s most popular search engine (StatCounter, 2011).

It tells us “Google’s mission is to organize the world‘s information and make it universally accessible and useful” (Google).

But have they chosen the correct path?

“We know where you are. We know where you've been. We can more or less know what you're thinking about." (Schmidt, 2010).

Google has many services with some of the more popular being...

To use these services you must agree to Google’s Terms of Service (aka the Universal Terms).

And to their Privacy Policy

And to the Additional Terms of the specific service you are using using

But what are you actually agreeing to?

By using any Google product you are bound by a legal contract with Google.

This contract consists of Google’s Universal Terms + the Additional Terms for the service you are using.

Can anyone play?

Sorry kids, if you’re not old enough to form a binding contract with Google you’ll have to find some other toys.

And if you’re an adult but you’ve been banned from using the services previously, you’ll also have to find some other form of amusement.

 So what sort of actions should you NOT perform whilst using a Google service?

Contravene the software / data laws of the applicable countries

Access a service via any means other than the Google interface (that means no scripts or web crawlers guys!)

Attempt to disrupt any of Google’s servers and / or networks

Duplicate or resell any of the Google services

Committing any of these acts may result in the termination of your access to the services or legal

action (Google).

Okay, so that’s the naughty stuff out of the way. So what SHOULD you be doing whilst using a Google service?

Make sure that you are who you say you are

That your details are correct and up to dateBe responsible for any of your passwords

Agree to be responsible for any violation of your responsibilities (Google)

 So who owns the content that I produce and use on a Google service?

Well, you get to keep the copyright but Google can do pretty much whatever it wants with your work. This includes modifying, publishing and distributing your content to a huge array of individuals and / or organisations, (Google).

“We are moving to a Google that knows more about you” (Schmidt, 2005).

Scary?

But why does Google want to know more about ME?

In order to better uphold, safeguard and improve their services...

Including advertising services! (Google)

And so that they can protect your rights... and theirs (Google).

Is Google serious about protecting users’ privacy?

That depends.

In 2006 Google (partially) successfully defended against a subpoena brought by the U.S. Dept of Justice who was seeking info which may have affected users’ privacy (Broache, 2006).Hooray for Google! But, there are other examples including...

The fact that Google used to place cookies that were not due to expire until 2038! (Agger, 2007)

So how does Google know what I’m up to?

They have 8 different methods ... yes, 8!These include

Information Cookies

User communications (inc SMS & email)

Affiliate

3rd party apps Location

Log information Unique application number

(Google Privacy Centre, 2010)

“If you have something that you don’t want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn’t be doing it in the first place” (Schmidt, 2008)

Sure, most of what you do in Google is free, but what else have you given

away?

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