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Google new-style Privacy Policy

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Xenophon PCDGS

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This is being launched on 1st March, despite reservations from many quarters being expressed. It is said that people can opt-out of this shared information gathering, but only by "trawling through" all the sections to specifically request this, rather than just making a single agreement to opt-out that should be on a main page.

What views do the forum members have on this matter, as there will be shared information with bodies such as YouTube, where specific internet advertising can be targeted at users of Google based on their visits to sites. I thought that there were EC doubts expressed about certain legal personal protection rights being infringed.
 
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MidnightFlyer

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Just use Bing or Yahoo! instead. TBH websites will always store haords of info on visitors though.
 

Lrd

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I'm not fussed. It's google's way of allowing us too see what we want to see on every site. E.G. Using our emails/searches to suggest related videos, etc.
 

SS4

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Just use Bing or Yahoo! instead. TBH websites will always store haords of info on visitors though.

You really think those will be better? The former have been found guilty of anti-competitive methods before ;). Duckduckgo would be better for search

I'm not too bothered, I've kept my details to a minimum (gmail) and besides this has nothing on facebook.
 

gswindale

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I thought it had been ruled illegal?
I think that was an example of mis-reporting by the media.

From what I've read and heard, Google were advised that the EU (possibly just the French) may find it illegal and that a French company had been asked to investigate the possibility.

Thus the EU requested that Google postponed the introduction of this policy until that investigation was complete.

It was interesting to hear Google state that they had given all information relating to the change in policy to the company in question in January so that a decision could be made prior to the new policy coming into force, but no work had been undertaken until very recently.

Sent by Androids
 

MidnightFlyer

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You really think those will be better? The former have been found guilty of anti-competitive methods before ;). Duckduckgo would be better for search

I'm not too bothered, I've kept my details to a minimum (gmail) and besides this has nothing on facebook.

Aye, most, if not all, do, I can't see why everyone is so up at arms about Google specifically. If it makes people feel better thought they can change, even if it makes little difference. I for one use Bing, and have done for quite a while.
 

All Line Rover

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So Google previously had about 40 different privacy policies for each of their different services. Now they have 1 privacy policy that covers all of their different services. Problem?

Apparently the EU weren't happy about data being shared between different services. Even though the data remains in the same company (Google) and most people use a number of Google services (e.g. search, Gmail and YouTube)!! :roll: Maybe the French just don't like Americans...
 

Clip

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I keep reading the thread title and think google have a new policy on pirates.

Ahoy mateys
 

SS4

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So Google previously had about 40 different privacy policies for each of their different services. Now they have 1 privacy policy that covers all of their different services. Problem?

Apparently the EU weren't happy about data being shared between different services. Even though the data remains in the same company (Google) and most people use a number of Google services (e.g. search, Gmail and YouTube)!! :roll: Maybe the French just don't like Americans...

As a Rail forum I'm sure we can all agree that Simplification usually means more complicated and more expensive ;)

The problem is that the new privacy policy allows for joined up data. You could use google maps to find local restaurants without those same local restaurants appearing in search or in youtube. Similarly, a video you watch in youtube could be linked to your gmail account.
It is possible but I'm not sure that contact data can be shared, especially on g+ (ie: person X was here as though they recommend it)
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I don't like it by any means but it's the world we live in nowadays and governments tend to look the other way for one reason or another
 

Temple Meads

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I'm not fussed. It's google's way of allowing us too see what we want to see on every site. E.G. Using our emails/searches to suggest related videos, etc.

This..

It really doesn't bother me one bit, in fact I quite like the idea.
 
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The only thing that annoys me, is that I might spend half an hour just wasting my time idly looking at various expensive cameras and their equipment that I might purchase if I won the lottery, but then for days afterwards on certain sites I get bombarded with camera adverts.

I know that ad blocking software is available, but I have found that it also blocks certain parts of ordinary sites that use the same software for maps or composite photographs.
 

SS4

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The only thing that annoys me, is that I might spend half an hour just wasting my time idly looking at various expensive cameras and their equipment that I might purchase if I won the lottery, but then for days afterwards on certain sites I get bombarded with camera adverts.

I know that ad blocking software is available, but I have found that it also blocks certain parts of ordinary sites that use the same software for maps or composite photographs.

Sounds like a job for private browsing
 
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I have just been reading the latest A1 Trust covenantors magazine, and there is an article there about Easysearch

http://www.easysearch.org.uk

Which is a search engine that seems to donate to your specified charity as you use links to advertisers on the site.

Of course, the magazine article recommends adding A1 Locomotive Trust as the good cause to help, but there seem to be lots of others arranged in alphabetical order.

Maybe it is time for me to give up my addiction to Google for everything search related.
 

Lrd

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The only thing that annoys me, is that I might spend half an hour just wasting my time idly looking at various expensive cameras and their equipment that I might purchase if I won the lottery, but then for days afterwards on certain sites I get bombarded with camera adverts.

I know that ad blocking software is available, but I have found that it also blocks certain parts of ordinary sites that use the same software for maps or composite photographs.
This happens anyway, nothing to do with the changes. I look at this forum a lot and every site I visit I always see Greater Anglia's 'Does your commute compute' advert.
 

Xenophon PCDGS

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I thought it had been ruled illegal?

Sorry to borrow your quote again, but according to Viviane Reding, the EU Justice Commissioner, these new privacy policy changes that have been put into effect today by Google are in breach of European law.

Google are now claiming that their company believed these new changes complied with European law.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Just use Bing or Yahoo! instead. TBH websites will always store hoards of info on visitors though.

On a personal level, this is something all of us can do. However, you have to look at the bigger picture where a large Corporation can decide to flout matters irregardless of European laws to suit themselves.

Who do they think they are.....Tesco ??....<(<(<(
 

Anon Mouse

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what about shared computers, I don't want my Wife to know I've been looking at porn!
 

Anon Mouse

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Don't use Google then!?

seriously though, if you use google image search to look for smut will you be recomend porno sites and products when googling for ordinary stuff? I don't agree with that kind of un-needed 'help' that you can get online :oops:
 

SS4

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what about shared computers, I don't want my Wife to know I've been looking at porn!

iirc it syncs to your google account rather than a given computer. If your wife and you share an account that's asking for trouble imo
 

Anon Mouse

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iirc it syncs to your google account rather than a given computer. If your wife and you share an account that's asking for trouble imo

Yeah thats what I was thinking, or will it not recomend anything sexually related like when you are googling 'normal' stuff?
 

SS4

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You may opt-out of personalised ads here
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Yeah thats what I was thinking, or will it not recomend anything sexually related like when you are googling 'normal' stuff?

Shouldn't since it's not really relevant (depending on what you define as 'normal' ;)). It's never happened to me although I do use private browsing for adult material

edit: also been opted out of personalised ads for a while
 
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Lrd

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I'm sure they don't show that sort of stuff as they have no idea who could be watching. It could be a kid on their dad's account (for example), wouldn't be very appropriate for something like that to pop up. I've never got anything like that anyways.
 
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