Should we be working on our privacy ranking ?

re: Should we be working on our privacy ranking ?

Dave — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 12:08:02 GMT

>Should we be working on our privacy ranking ?

yes

Absolutely

What have you got to lose? And whatever that is - is it REALLY of any value to you?

People tend to react badly to a friend which turns out to shaft them. I suspect Google will find that out (not now, it's too soon - they will be forgiven this time - but years down the track). In fact - they seem to be acutely aware of this judging by the way they are bad mouthing Privacy International.

MS can turn out decent software AND protect privacy, I don't think google is capable of doing both. There's a long term win to be had here. Be the white Knight

re: Should we be working on our privacy ranking ?

Ben — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 18:12:12 GMT

It's good to draw folks attention to the issue. When you phone an insurance or banking company, you are usually told up-front that your information will be stored and may be exchanged. When you use a lot of the 'net services like those you mention, understanding the privacy implications of exactly what's being stored and accessed when and by who really isn't easy, lost somewhere in the pages of terms and small print! I'm not convinced there is anything too sinister behind it all but I think we need a higher level of awareness that our data will be being captured before we sell our souls and buy-in to a service.

re: Should we be working on our privacy ranking ?

jamesone — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 17:59:41 GMT

Dave I quite agree. Though it feels odd to be cast in the role of friend. Google's aspiration to store all the worlds data mean they start from a more difficult position on privacy.

Hello again Ben. I am drawing attention to the issue, so glad you think it's a good thing. I don't know if there is anything sinister or not, but I need convincing there isn't - the potential is there and the low level of awareness and concern worries me.