Google and privacy concerns seem to be synonymous recently. The upshot is that consumer groups feel that not only does Google have policies that undermine privacy, but in reality they have a complete disinterest in protecting privacy. Here is a story about Google’s privacy, told using the magic of quotation.

Quotes

“Under the microscope, it turns out that Google is doing much more with our data than we ever imagined,” — Simon Davies, Director Privacy International

“We are disappointed with Privacy International’s report, which is based on numerous inaccuracies and misunderstandings about our services…It’s a shame that Privacy International decided to publish its report before we had an opportunity to discuss our privacy practices with them.– Nicole Wong, Google’s Deputy General Counsel

“Data protection laws around the world require Internet companies to maintain adequate security measures to protect the personal data of their users. Immediate deletion of IP addresses from our logs would make our systems more vulnerable to security attacks, putting the personal data of our users at greater risk.” –Google

“…we have provided a great deal of information about Google’s and DoubleClick’s business practices that raise significant privacy concerns for Internet users,” — Marc Rotenberg, President of Electronic Privacy Information Center

“…critics have so far failed to identify any practice that does not comply with accepted privacy standards, and their complaints are unsupported by the facts and the law. Google aggressively protects user privacy, and user trust is central to Google’s values and essential to the success of our products.” — Google Official Statement

“Google has pledged to begin erasing the information about users’ search requests within 18 to 24 months.” –Yahoo! News

“One of our big goals in search is to make search that really understands exactly what you want, understands everything in the world. As computer scientists, we call that artificial intelligence.” –Sergey Brin, Google Founder

Web 2.0 Roundup

So what’s the real story? It depends on who you ask. One thing we can be sure of is that Google makes it a practice to collect huge amounts of personal data, and up until this point has been reluctant to erase it. Whether this constitutes any real breach in privacy is up in the air. With the DoubleClick merger a strong possibility in the near future, it should be an interesting story to watch unfold.

[Photo credit goes to Duncan]