Google is the go-to provider of many things online-search, email, maps,
and more. But have you ever stopped to consider all of the information
you’re sharing with Google?
1. What you’re searching for: Google is used by millions of people
worldwide-and they know what every user is searching for, even if it’s
not personally identifiable. This can now be triangulated by your ISP
as well as other stored data from Google.
2. The web pages you visit: Google AdSense is used by many web pages
for online advertising, and Google’s cookies record your visits to web
pages with their ad program on them.
3. The blogs you read: If you use Google Reader, Google knows the blogs
you subscribe to. Even if you’re not on Google Reader, Google knows all
of the Blogger pages you visit.
4. Your financial information: Users of AdSense and/or Google Checkout
share financial information, addresses, and other personal information
with Google.
5. The strength and popularity of your website or blog: For users of
Google Analytics, Google knows what sites you control, how they are
doing, and their trends.
6. Who and what you’re emailing: GMail users, and those who send mail
to GMail users share a variety of personal and business information
with Google.
7. What’s on your PC: If you’re using Google Desktop, Google knows
everything that you keep on your computer.
8. Your research paper, bills, upcoming blog post, etc.: Docs and
Spreadsheets are great web-based office tools, but using them means
exposing the information in your documents to Google.
9. Your schedule: Google Calendar opens your personal and business
schedule up to the prying eyes of Google.
10. Your social network and interests: Google indexes sites like Orkut,
Facebook, and Digg, and as such, has access to information about what
you’re interested in online.
11. When you’re going to get the flu: Google can track flu related
searches to find out where and when the flu happens.
12. Where you and your friends are: Using Google Latitude, cell phone
users can share their location with others. Even if you’re not using
Latitude, Google Maps for mobile can approximate your location.
13. What you’re watching on YouTube: Google owns YouTube, and knows
about all the dirty videos you’ve been watching.
14. What and where you study: Google Books, Scholar, and University
Search are tools that can reveal your academic life online.
15. Everything you’re looking at online: Users of the browser Google
Chrome allow Google to see all of the web pages they are visiting.
16. Your problems: Asking a question or giving an answer on Google
Answers will reveal your problems and personal life to Google.
17. Your medical issues: Do you use Google Health? If so, you’re sharing
your entire medical history with Google.
18. Your home address: Use Google Maps, AdSense, or Checkout, and
there’s a good chance Google has your home address.
19. Mobile number: On SMS, Google Mobile, and Gmail, you can reveal your
mobile number to Google.
20. How your voice sounds: Using Google Talk will share the sound of
your voice with Google.
21. What you, your friends and family look like and do: With the photo
editor Picasa, you’re revealing your photographs, friends, and moments
to Google.
22. Everything you do online: Google Secure Access encrypts your data,
so everything you’re doing online for school or work is recordable.
23. What you want to buy and have bought: Product search and Catalog
search can reveal what you’re buying and shopping for.
24. What your business is about: Keywords and purchasing patterns on
Adwords share information about your business with Google.
25. What’s important to you: If you’ve set up Google Alerts, Google
knows all of the things that are most important for you to know about
online.
Now add Google gps technology on their Android phone as well as Google earth (you say you don’t use Android, well soon Google Docs, Mail, etc will just ask for your cell phone and then they can still triangulate your personal location) and Google will know where you are and who you are and in fact they could BE you if they choose.
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