Topic: Google ranked 'worst' on privacy

[Clive]

Many net firms were criticised in the report for privacy failings
Google has the worst privacy policy of popular net firms, says a report. 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6740075.stm

[Simon]

Not surprising, given the amount of user data it stores.

[mistybear]

But it does come in handy, though it is a little frightening.

When I do a search I usually don't have to select "page from Australia" especially if it a subject that I have looked at before. But what really surprised me, I was searching for public records of something, not only did it select all Australian, but after the first few, it asked if I meant NSW (state), which is the state where I live.

Very handy yes, but definitely a little scarey.

[Clive]

George Orwell was a great prophet.   

[Sandra]

George Orwell was a great prophet.   

Dont say that too often Clive or we will have yet another new religion to have to contend with 

They could have Animal Farm and 1984 as the new and the old testaments 

[Clive]

It didn't do L Ron Hubbard any harm.   

[Simon]

But it does come in handy, though it is a little frightening.

When I do a search I usually don't have to select "page from Australia" especially if it a subject that I have looked at before. But what really surprised me, I was searching for public records of something, not only did it select all Australian, but after the first few, it asked if I meant NSW (state), which is the state where I live.

Very handy yes, but definitely a little scarey.

But don't you use http://www.google.com.au/, MB?  That would automatically mean that your searches are region based. 

[mistybear]

Too true Simon, but I have noticed that since starting this whole internet thing, about 18 months ago, I don't seem to get as much American content than I used to. I would have to use the "pages from Australia", now I don't have to, as it automatically gives me Australian pages first.
For example, when I started if I typed in abc, I would get abc American news source and so on, now I get abc Australian.

That's just a small example of what I mean. And that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[sam]

well yes, google can immeditately tell where you are looking at the pages from, its not too difficult todo.. and we could implement it here aswell.

[Simon]

well yes, google can immeditately tell where you are looking at the pages from, its not too difficult todo.. and we could implement it here aswell.

Ooh... Pals Big Brother!