SHOULD CONSUMERS BE CONCERNED ABOUT GOOGLE?
News of privacy violations by Google are almost a daily occurrence
WASHINGTON, DC – Google is one the world’s largest and most successful companies but consumers may start to see the company differently following a string of revelations about the way Google collects personal data, sometimes even advertently, says Americans for Technology Leadership.
Google was in the news yet again for collecting private data without the knowledge of consumers. It collected data from unsecured wireless networks while the company mapped the streets of in several European countries for its street view application.
“Consumers should know what information is being collected about them and how that information will be used. As news reports surface with greater frequency about Google’s lack of transparency about how it acquires and manages private data, consumers have reason to be concerned,” said Randy Skoglund, executive director of Americans for Technology Leadership. “The urban legend of giant servers housing a file on computer users from around the globe is less legend and now one step closer to being a part of the urban landscape.
“Consumers need to be aware of how certain companies collect and manage private data and how that can affect their everyday lives,” continued Skoglund. “There are privacy settings on social networking sites, at home wireless networks, email services and other applications that consumers should learn how to manage in order to ensure their private data remains private.”
“Governments and technology companies need to work together, along with consumers, to protect personal data and keep it safe. With the advent of phishing, scams, identity theft and other computer-related data schemes, it’s so important, now more than ever, to make sure personal data is kept safe and companies are transparent in how they plan to use that data,” concluded Skoglund.
Americans for Technology Leadership is a broad-based coalition of technology professionals, consumers, and organizations dedicated to limiting government regulation of technology and to fostering competitive market solutions to public policy issues that affect the technology industry. For additional information on ATL, public policy positions, and a mission statement visit the web site at www.techleadership.org
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