Comment: Google must come clean over hidden data

 

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 28 Jun 2007 at 11:38

The next few months will be critical for Google. The company has enjoyed overwhelming consumer goodwill ever since its launch. Sites such as Digg and Slashdot start buzzing at the mere mention of a new Google service or feature. Even Google's irritating habit of keeping products in seemingly endless betas hasn't dampened people's enthusiasm - largely because products such as Gmail and Picasa are so good and reliable even in their test state.

Yet, Google may need to act quickly if privacy isn't to become its Achilles heel. Its privacy policy is too woolly to reassure users, and my experience has proved that statements such as "We make good faith efforts to provide you access to your personal information upon request" are questionable at best.

Google needs to come clean on exactly what data each of its products is storing and, like directory enquiries, allow people to opt out and wipe their records if they feel it's too intrusive. It would be ironic if the company that earned its reputation for delving into other people's websites failed to come clean over what's being held on its own.