Google announces privacy changes; users can’t opt out

#1 · #1 by **the_5th_ape** » Jan 26, 2012 10:06 am

Google will soon know far more about who you are and what you do on the Web.

The Web giant announced Tuesday that it plans to follow the activities of users across nearly all of its ubiquitous sites, including YouTube, Gmail and its leading search engine.

Google has already been collecting some of this information. But for the first time, it is combining data across its Web sites to stitch together a fuller portrait of users.

Consumers won’t be able to opt out of the changes, which take effect March 1. And experts say the policy shift will invite greater scrutiny from federal regulators of the company’s privacy and competitive practices.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/ ... story.html

#2 · #2 by **I'm With Stupid** » Jan 26, 2012 11:39 am

Just switched back to Firefox, because Google Chrome was trying to get me to do this logging in bullshit, except that it lasted about 1 day before it kept closing. Good job.

#3 · #3 by **chairman bill** » Jan 26, 2012 11:45 am

And so the search for a different search engine begins. I'll Google it.

#4 · #4 by **VazScep** » Jan 26, 2012 1:17 pm

I like Google+. But since joining, I changed my search engine to Bing. There's already too much integration with the +1 button and youtube.

#5 · #5 by **logical bob** » Jan 26, 2012 2:10 pm

Is Bing any good? I've occasionally tried other search engines but they all seemed considerably less useful than the big G.

#6 · #6 by **VazScep** » Jan 26, 2012 2:28 pm

logical bob wrote:Is Bing any good? I've occasionally tried other search engines but they all seemed considerably less useful than the big G.

I've found it to be adequate. Their maps are superb: you can choose to display ordnance survey. But sometimes I like to use a search engine to find posts at rationalskepticism, and for that, Google is better.

But now that I think about it, I'm changing again. There's a firefox add-on for Ixquick, which is a meta-search engine that doesn't record any IP addresses.

#7 · #7 by **DoctorE** » Jan 26, 2012 2:31 pm

Seems like youtube users are flocking here: http://www.zippcast.com/

#8 · #8 by **chairman bill** » Jan 26, 2012 2:41 pm

Dogpile is my 'other search engine' of choice - http://www.dogpile.com/

#9 · #9 by **van00uber** » Jan 29, 2012 7:24 pm

This is a good clean search engine too - http://duckduckgo.com/

**#10** · **#10** by **orpheus** » Jan 29, 2012 8:56 pm

These are good suggestions to have. Thanks - and keep 'em coming if anyone has any others.

**#11** · **#11** by **Regina** » Jan 29, 2012 8:58 pm

I've been using Track Me Not for ages. Every little helps. :smoke:

**#12** · **#12** by **MoonLit** » Jan 29, 2012 9:15 pm

logical bob wrote:Is Bing any good? I've occasionally tried other search engines but they all seemed considerably less useful than the big G.

I use Bing; it's my homepage too. :cheers:

**#13** · **#13** by **the_5th_ape** » Jan 30, 2012 2:11 pm

I was about to create a new Gmail account. But guess what.. its now asking for my mobile number. Seems like there is no way I can have a GOOGLE account if I don't give them my private number. Then what about people who do not use mobile?
Google says, "dont worry we will keep your number very secret, its okay even if you can give us your friend's number"

chairman bill wrote:And so the search for a different search engine begins. I'll Google it.

You can still use google search by being ANONYMOUS. Use TOR
There is absolutely no way Google can track you if you are using TOR

**#14** · **#14** by **logical bob** » Jan 30, 2012 2:21 pm

Gmail asks for your number but you can proceed past that step without giving it.

**#15** · **#15** by **the_5th_ape** » Jan 30, 2012 2:23 pm

logical bob wrote:Gmail asks for your number but you can proceed past that step without giving it.

Nop, I can't. There is no such option

**#16** · **#16** by **I'm With Stupid** » Jan 30, 2012 3:01 pm

the_5th_ape wrote:You can still use google search by being ANONYMOUS. Use TOR
There is absolutely no way Google can track you if you are using TOR

Tor's a massive pain in the arse though, because it forgets everything every time you close it. I'm pretty sure that it's much more convenient to simply change search engines.

**#17** · **#17** by **Paul G** » Jan 30, 2012 3:05 pm

Google has given me another youtube account with my gmail address. Problem is, I already have one with exactly the same name. So now I have two and it keeps logging me into the new one automatically which has no uploads or any info on it. Fail.

It also asks for my phone number but I skip that part.

**#18** · **#18** by **the_5th_ape** » Jan 30, 2012 3:06 pm

I'm With Stupid wrote:
the_5th_ape wrote:You can still use google search by being ANONYMOUS. Use TOR
There is absolutely no way Google can track you if you are using TOR

Tor's a massive pain in the arse though, because it forgets everything every time you close it. I'm pretty sure that it's much more convenient to simply change search engines.

Thats one of the reasons why some people use TOR. Because it leaves absolutely no trace behind. No tracking cookies. No spying. Your browser will not remember any information that you entered before. Every single tab, every single window is a fresh one.
Even your IP address keeps on changing randomly

**#19** · **#19** by **the_5th_ape** » Jan 30, 2012 3:07 pm

Paul G wrote:
It also asks for my phone number but I skip that part.

Yep, I was just able to skip that part. I used TOR, and it worked

**#20** · **#20** by **logical bob** » Jan 30, 2012 3:23 pm

the_5th_ape wrote:
logical bob wrote:Gmail asks for your number but you can proceed past that step without giving it.

Nop, I can't. There is no such option

My existing account asks me now and again for a number but I can ignore it. Perhaps it's different for new accounts. Perhaps you could enter your number as 01234567890?