As part of the continued assault on consumers’ on-line privacy, Google has announced its plan to substantially increase the amount of data it collects from its users. Unfortunately, announcements by corporations that they will increase data mining efforts are nothing new: what is especially pernicious with regard to Google’s announcement is that there is no opt-out procedure – if you want to use Google’s services, you have to agree to be tracked starting on March 1.
Google’s new privacy plan enables it to track users across all Google platforms, which includes Gmail, Google+, YouTube and Google’s search engine. This change will allow Google to reap even more advertising revenue as it enables marketers to more accurately target ads at likely Google users. In other words, Google will be able to help e-retailers bombard users with unwanted and annoying advertisements because it will have developed a much more complete and robust profile for each of its users. Unfortunately, for those who feel their on-line searching, buying and viewing habits are private and should not be subjected to corporate ownership, which means never using Google again or submitting to the indignity of invasive data mining.
While there may be an argument that there is no harm to Google users because they can stop using Google services if they do not agree to privacy invasions, Android users do not have that luxury. Because Android phones have Google operating systems, it is impossible to use all of the vital functions available in an Android phone without being logged in to a Google account. For example, users could not use Gmail, download apps from the Android Marketplace, or use chat functions. In other words, Android users have the Hobson’s choice of either giving up their on-line privacy or giving up many of the Android functions that make the phones viable competitors to iPhone or BlackBerry devices.
If you have an Android phone and are dissatisfied with Google’s heavy handed privacy tactics, please contact us to discuss your legal options.