Whoops! Google says mistakenly got wireless data

[stock_post]

Believe if you can - Google says mistakenly got wireless data

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64D60E20100514


Google Says It Inadvertently Collected Personal Data
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/14/google-admits-to-snooping-on-personal-data/?src=busln


Google: Oops, we spied on your Wi-FI
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-20005051-266.html

 

[tekz999]

Interesting. But how can street view cars collect wifi data?

 

[Tia Wood]

Google said the collection of data was a simple mistake resulting from a piece of computer code that was accidentally included from an experimental project.

Great. Now our data will mistakenly end up in the hands of someone who mistakenly should not have it.

 

[Gerry]

If you have a cell phone with GPS capability, nothing is really private at all.

Based on your location, google (or even your phone company) could deduce so much about our habits...where we eat, routes we take, time spent in the house, time spent elsewhere, who we call, how often we call...there are mountains of data being collected on each one of us with or without our permission.

There is no secret that the next biggest advertising venue is targeted ads based on your location and habits. That data is just too important for all the Teleco's and IP's to ignore. It is instant feedback and beats the hell out of focus groups. And because that data is so fresh and constantly being updated it is so valuable.

I guess I gave up quite a bit of privacy when I bought the smartphone with the GPS in it. Whenever there is an app update, it warns me that it is gathering information because of my location (via GPS). I either give it permission or it will not install. Otherwise, Google Maps would not work, Google Sky would not know which constellation I am looking at, and weather alerts would not be up to date.

As Tia made comment of our data ending up in someone else's hands, I am sure of that also. I would like to think that such data is not shared but, as I say, it is simply too valuable. In one form or another, that data is going to end up as stats of some measurements provided to their advertisers.

Lately, it does not seem to matter what site I look at or which browser I use, I see ads for the Wacom Cintiq tablet. I was searching for these about a week or so ago. But, honestly, those ads are everywhere now. Obviously my searches are being tracked and instant feedback indicates what ads to present to me.

I'm afraid the days of total privacy are coming to a close and, actually, has already happened.

So if google collected more data on me when the Google Street View vehicle went down the road (I saw my street and house etc...pretty sweet!) then that's okay. I'm not sure there is much more they already don't have.

 

[stock_post]

There is no secret that the next biggest advertising venue is targeted ads based on your location and habits.

Doc - Google is doing this..
Behavioral targeting - Big buck advertising for Google and other companies.

That is part of the reason - google want to give their cell phone almost free.

They gave the OS free - there is a reason for it.

 

[tekz999]

Do you gmail? It show ads based on the words on your email, so google is scanning all emails. But isn't all ISP has all data already the day you use its internet service to connect to the internet.

 

[draggar]

If you have a cell phone with GPS capability, nothing is really private at all.

Based on your location, google (or even your phone company) could deduce so much about our habits...where we eat, routes we take, time spent in the house, time spent elsewhere, who we call, how often we call...there are mountains of data being collected on each one of us with or without our permission.

Unless you're accessing a Google based application (sadly, many people love to use Google earth on their phone) Google has no access to your data. (Or if it's a Google phone)

Also, this is nothing new. Wireless companies have been able to do this for many years. Even with the "GPS" or "e911" feature turned of on your phone, the carriers still know where you are. When I was a tech and had to investigate cloning accusations with just the billing system I could tell what general area you were in (and that's with JUST the billing system). Just imagine what people with more access could see.

Doc - Google is doing this..
Behavioral targeting - Big buck advertising for Google and other companies.

That is part of the reason - google want to give their cell phone almost free.

They gave the OS free - there is a reason for it.

Oh great, does this mean people will start to see popups on their Google based phones?

I've said it for a while now Google = Skynet = The Borg.

 

[Gerry]

Unless you're accessing a Google based application (sadly, many people love to use Google earth on their phone) Google has no access to your data. (Or if it's a Google phone)

Also, this is nothing new. Wireless companies have been able to do this for many years. Even with the "GPS" or "e911" feature turned of on your phone, the carriers still know where you are. When I was a tech and had to investigate cloning accusations with just the billing system I could tell what general area you were in (and that's with JUST the billing system). Just imagine what people with more access could see.



Oh great, does this mean people will start to see popups on their Google based phones?

I've said it for a while now Google = Skynet = The Borg.

I am confident that data is being collected via GPS on all phones, not just those contracted with Google.

As for PopUps on the phone, that already exists as well.

My Helio Ocean was GPS.

It's default browser when I went to the internet was full of ads.