Chapter 4 - Case Study 3: Is Google Watching You?

1. How does Google’s business model use personal data?

A. - Google is firmly committed to the privacy of our advertisers and users. [ While Google does add a cookie to a user's computer when he/she clicks on an ad, this cookie expires in 30 days, and Google does not associate a user's search activity with his/her ad click history. Further, Google does not collect or track personally identifying information, and does not reveal individual information to third parties. Users who do not wish to participate in tracking activities can easily disable Google's conversion tracking cookie in their Internet browser's user preferences settings. These users will not be included in your conversion tracking statistics. 


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2. What do you think are the major privacy concerns raised by Google’s business model and
applications?

A. - the major privacy concerns of the Google's business, First and  foremost is the concern generated by the wealth of personal information Google is able to assemble using a user’s login identity. To use Google products,users must first create a Google login through which they provide an e-mail address, or in

the case of Google e-mail service, a first and last name.Other privacy concerns have arisen over the malfunctioning of Google’s applications. For example, on February 24, 2009, an employee of a Dutch marketing firm reported a bug related to Google’s document sharing application, Google Docs.


                                          

3. Do you think Google has taken adequate measures to protect its users’ privacy? Explain
your answer.

A. - Google is changing its privacy policies as of March 1, 2012. User activity on its services will be tracked to improve advertising. Google justified its actions as a benefit to users, however. “When someone is searching for the word ‘jaguar,’ Google would have a better idea of whether the person was interested in the animal or the car. Or the firm might suggest e-mailing contacts in New York when it learns you are planning a trip there.”

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