Google’s New Policy Causes Comment

On Tuesday January 24, 2012, Google released its new privacy policy for public review, to come into effect March 1, 2012. The policy will replace Google’s current privacy regime consisting of more than 60 product-specific privacy documents. The goal is to have the new policy govern all of Google’s products. For example, the same policy will govern how much information Google collects and for what purpose from Gmail, YouTube, and other Google products. The policy will allow Google to pool all the information it obtains from these products in order to better understand users’ wants and needs. Google claims that this will allow it to provide its users with better services such as more accurate search results and more relevant advertisements. Many have expressed concern about the changes to Google’s policy. Data protection authorities from the European Union have asked Google to postpone its March 1st launch date until the authorities have had time to review the policy. The biggest concern is the power the policy gives to Google to pool information obtained from all of its products. Many are worried that this will allow Google to monitor an unprecedented amount of information, sensitive information in many instances, about an individual, with no provision for opting out. Interestingly, Google’s new policy is outlined in plain language and is advertised across all of Google products, in order to give its users advance notice and considerable time to review the changes. For commentary, visit: http://tinyurl.com/7964pwp; and http://tinyurl.com/7dkzssq Summary by: Thomas Wong