Google Buzz Caught Up in Privacy Probe
There have been countless complaints about Google Buzz and its apparent disregard for users' privacy. Now, Google is facing a privacy probe over the social networking services.
Just three days after Google made major changes to Buzz, the CBC reports that the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada is looking into the social-networking tool.
Citing Valerie Lawton, a spokeswoman for the privacy office, CBC says the office is looking into concerns about Buzz because, they "understand the public concern about privacy issues related to Google Buzz."
Users have complained about a lot of Buzz features. Among them is the fact that Buzz displays your followers and who you're following (revealing who you email the most). It displays your location, even if it is your home address. People also disliked that though they could switch off Buzz, this did not mean they were opting out, just that they didn't want to receive Buzz alerts.
Lawton said the agency may comment further on the issue today.
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well...at least Google Buzz is living up to its name...
This is just transparency, it is their only business model. They whore you out and steal your data about you to make money. Actually they should be paying us.
This is just transparency, it is their only business model. They whore you out and steal your data about you to make money. Actually they should be paying us.
Lol, people think that information they submit online is completely, 100% private?
Lol, people think that information they submit online is completely, 100% private?
People think when they are in their car on a public street, or when they are in a shop, that they have a "right to privacy". People even think they have this right when in their homes at night with the lights on and all the windows curtains open. So of course they think the internet is a private space!
It was just a matter of time before the complaints got louder.
basically the default security should be tighter and you should have to opt in. done, google take care of it, everyone else, shut up.
What's so special about Buzz anyway? Aren't there enough social networking tools out there already?
Yeah, not too much that is special. But it is good if you want do do everything on Google.
How many buzz articles have been posted in 24 hours? Looks to me like it's going to be messy. i wouldn't be surprised if it flops and gets put out of its' misery.