Is Google too big?

Territorial expansion, the search giant can get information about you unexpectedly! Can we trust Google?

From search to e-mail, from work schedules to spreadsheets and documents, more and more things users read and create are 'flowing' through a company: Google .

Google has not yet purchased DoubleClick online advertising company (because it is still waiting for the approval of the US Federal Trade Commission FTC), but if possible, it will give Google more information about you: such as data surfing first This (your browser history) that Google obtained from millions of DoubleClick cookies. Combining this data with what Google gets through its own services like Google Apps, Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Maps, Google Desktop and many other tools, Google is more likely to know about you than any other Other companies (see table 'What does Google know about you' in the article). The question is: do you trust Google when it holds so much information about you? Even if you trust Google, other organizations may try to access all that information, some of which may include government agencies, hackers and competitors? Security experts say that this risk is huge, even if Google is loyal to its famous 'Don't be evil' slogan.

According to a security expert, when a company uses online software services such as Google, the company faces many risks, possibly losing its own data, without security. Physical data and lack of data backup control. Who can access the data that Google manages, when and under what circumstances? Google itself has full access to your unencrypted file. In fact, the search and indexing of archived data is essential if Google wants to continue serving its contextual advertising.

Negotiate with DoubleClick

If Google is allowed to acquire DoubleClick, the company can become the biggest custodian of search and management information for users, Google is only slightly legally bound to use it well. sharing user data with third parties. Electronic Privacy Information Center filed a lawsuit with the FTC, asking to investigate the possibility that Google could record and list Internet users' activities even if they were identified. or not.

The FTC seems to be seriously considering this transfer issue, requesting additional information from Google and DoubleClick. A separate European Union organization and the New York State User Protection Commission, USA also expressed interest in the consequences of purchasing problems affecting users' privacy when surfing the web.

However, Google's FAQ page confirms that this purchase is not harmful to user privacy but also improves protection.

Another risk if you switch to online services like Google Docs and Spreadsheets and Google Calendar is that you will lose connection with your data. What happens when the DSL line in your office drops down? And how important will the last minute changes in the unsaved spreadsheet be damaging? Google recently unveiled Google Gears for you to use Google's online applications and other companies without an Internet connection, promising to solve this problem, but such a service may not be popular yet. at least a few months.

According to an expert, you are compromising with more complex file management when entrusting everything to Google experts so that they run well. Businesses need to consider not only the benefits of managing servers, but also the difficulties of keeping documents in sync with Google versions.

Although it is still uncertain about Google's plans for personal data, Google itself may be the least worrying place. Instead, there is a risk that hackers or competitors may invade your Google account with fake documents or other illegal methods.

Guaranteed search

Government authorities may also want to see in your Gmail inbox and what your Docs and Spreadsheet file is, including details when you create, access, or delete those data. Because you have to confirm each time you log in to your account, Google can use the log information to retrieve the active root IP address of that account, combined with the log information from the ISP to help confirm whether it is actually Whether you are updating a spreadsheet or writing an e-mail.

Google must abide by a search warrant or court order in civil or criminal cases that target your data just as if you saved your data on a separate server. However, what I want to say here is that Google is not obligated to inform you that the company has received the order and has responded to the government. You lose your management and legal rights to your documents if you use online services such as Google.

An expert said that the worse Google Apps is, not only related to media, but personal documents and spreadsheets will be the subject of requests for civil court reviews and searches. Google is not legally bound to notify users, even be warned.

This situation can also greatly affect your partner's trust if your file contains sensitive customer data and communication. For example, you are a lawyer and have private, proprietary information that you hold on your Gmail account. Government searches your account and reads your data files. By law, you must ensure the right to keep information between an attorney and a defendant.

In short, if Google chooses not to inform you about what the government is searching for in your account, you must give up this civil rights. According to an expert, the only way to offer complex encryption solutions that Google does not currently support, is to be able to ensure true privacy of documents stored online.

An expert recommends that Google services should only be used for specialized documents that are not important for organizations that work collaboratively but that are geographically disruptive and should not rely on Google Apps.

Google Apps and other similar web services are in some ways built towards small and medium businesses. SFBay Pediatrics (San Francisco, USA) is a medium-sized enterprise, looking for a way of communicating between offices and a work scheduling system, the company's CIO has reviewed a range of products. , including Microsoft Exchange and other systems that he must install and maintain internally. Finally he chose Google Apps Premier Edition (no ads version). Also, Google's services help businesses not have to set up huge IT structures; Do not want to take time to monitor problems, maintain the server and pay the cost first.

Up to now, SFBay still uses Google Apps service quite well. Although new core features are still gradually emerging, SFBay's CIO must configure SFBay 's Google Apps account to comply with privacy rules.

Where does the file go?

Google's online database of sensitive business and personal data is very attractive to the authorities and the issue is still hanging on top of the company: last year, Google succeeded in resisting the Justice Department order. The US requires millions of queries (this request is opposed by Google, considered excessive and infringes on the privacy of users).

Recently, the company also announced the start of deleting IP address information from its log files after 18 months, which could be used to identify users. However, these steps are not enough to ensure most users are interested in security in Google applications.

According to an expert, even if you trust that Google is always on the side of users, it does not mean that someone will not track your data and request access to that data (something that doesn't happen if you contains data on your computer). He worries that if companies like Google do not tighten the protection of users' privacy, less tech-savvy users such as lawmakers, lawyers and state agencies will easily use those solutions that adversely affect all online services. ' Not doing good is good but not enough. You need to prevent others from doing bad things with your talents. That is the harder step . '

GOOGLE KNOW WHAT ABOUT YOU

Google's free services can increase your productivity, but they can also show your privacy to the public, your business is at risk and you don't get your data back. self.

Google Search Personally: connect what you type to search for your surfing behaviors through the DoubleClick advertising network, giving the company as much detail as possible about your online activities. Gmail Personally: your mailing and content information, including attachments included in Google's unencrypted servers.
Legally: losing or accessing unauthorized business mail increases your company's information leakage. Google Docs and Spreadsheets Personal: your unencrypted file is contained on Google's servers.
Legally: an enterprise may lose credibility due to data loss, or gain unauthorized access to business documents.
Disconnection: when Google Gears is not available, you cannot access your data without an Internet connection. Picasa Web Albums Personal: photos arranged by album if in the 'unlisted' label, anyone can see them if they know the URL.
About lost connection: currently there is no option for you to view or backup offline albums. Google Calendar Personal: calendar and other related information not encrypted, contained on Google's servers.
Legally: loss or unauthorized access to information will put your company in jeopardy.
About disconnection: you cannot open a calendar without an Internet connection although this can be changed when Google Gears appears. Google Desktop Personal: if you do not lock the search function, anyone who uses your PC can access the private file.
Legally: copies of business documents may be contained on Google's servers, which may be lost or accessed illegally. Google Talk Personal: messages about messages can be searched and Gmail can be found. Google Product Search Personally: a log of your product search data can be linked to your browsing history when Google acquired DoubleClick.