Congress to review Google privacy

 

Photo: Wikipedia Creative Commons

Computerworld – In a letter sent to eight members of Congress, Google yesterday defended its move to consolidate its privacy policies and users’ personal information.

The 13-page letter explains Google’s decision to alter its privacy policies and answers specific questions from the legislators. In sum, Google contended that its approach to privacy has not changed, that users still have control over how they use the company’s various online services, and that private information remains private.

“Some have expressed concern about whether consumer can opt out of our updated privacy policy,” wrote Pablo Chavez, Google’s director of public policy, in the letter. For the rest of the story….

Google raises privacy fears

Google Inc. raised privacy fears when it announced the consolidation of it’s privacy agreements. Government agencies and privacy watch dogs are announcing their concerns and potential investigations.

By Sharon Gaudin ComputerWorld – Google has whipped up a privacy brouhaha with a blog post announcing that the company is rewriting its privacy policy, consolidating user information across its services.

What has the blogosphere and some users in an uproar is that Google isn’t offering users an opt-out option. If you don’t want your information from Gmail, YouTube and Google searches combined into one personal data store that can paint a detailed picture of you, the only option is to stop using Google’s services.

There doesn’t seem to be a way to keep using Google’s highly popular products and services and not have the company combine all your personal data. And that bothers some users. For the rest of the story, see ComputerWorld Google stirs up privacy hornet’s nest

Facebook agrees to address Canada Privacy Commissioner’s concerns

Privacy Commissioner of Canada satisfied that proposed changes to the social networking site’s privacy practices and policies would bring Facebook into compliance with Canadian law.

Assistant privacy commissioner Elizabeth Denham and privacy commissioner Jennifer Stoddart reach agreement with Facebook on privacy (Photo Emily Chung/CBC)

Facebook has agreed to add significant new privacy safeguards and make other changes in response to the Privacy Commissioner of Canada’s recent investigation into the popular social networking site’s privacy policies and practices.  Continue reading