Google’s new privacy policy and terms of use
I’ve been a long fan of short and simple. In corporate there can be so much to confuse and clutter what can still be a strong legal document without having to detail each little point. Google today has released one new privacy policy and one new terms of use to cover all of their services. They even documented this on a new page linked from Google’s home page search box.
Both the new terms of use and privacy policy go active March 1st, 2012 and use very general language about how to use their services and how your privacy is covered. But in short or in length the message is the same. There are many ways to use our services and in order to best service your requests we may need certain information from the language you speak to what ads you like (click). Like every other site in the world they too collect information like the browser you use showing the size of your screen, browser type, IP address (your internet address which can also show where in the world you live city-wise), etc. But it does extend into the information you provide in your public account with their services.
So, if you list your job, income, interests or any other piece of personal information publicly it will now be part of what Google can use to best service you. Service you can be displaying ads, content, search results and more. This is a big change and something to look into more closely. Like Google says, you are making it public so what is the harm? You’ll have to decide if you want that public information to be used to market to your or to control your online experience with their other services.
Google is not out to harm you. They make money from their services running ads. They simply want to show you the best ads based on your buying potential for certain ads. Some people get upset at such a thing. Well, that is why they are telling you now, a full month before they go live. So, just keep this in mind while you create your accounts with Google. It does however go even further into what you’ve searched online too but I don’t think that this is anything new.
Location for some people seem to be a huge conditional. Google clearly states here that your GPS address could also be used. This is great for showing you local places and businesses in their ad system. Again, you’ll have control over this by opting out of sharing your GPS. This option is usually controlled by your mobile phone however. So, you’ll need to research how to set this up. If you have a Google account, you may control this from your search home page as well.
There has also been a consistency factor. This I’ve noticed with several different accounts with Google where they have been merged together. Ever have two or more Adwords accounts or Gmail access? Google simply wants your experience to be seemless while they continue to best serve you no matter where or how you access any of their services, from browser to browser, computer to computer, etc.
Google is careful to outline that sensitive information such as searches associated to race, religion, sexual orientation or health are not stored nor are used. In a following section it states that the personal identifiable information will not be combined with Double Click (ad subsidiary) unless you’ve opt-in. You can opt-out of Google cookies by searching for “opting out of Double Click”.
In Google’s terms of use and privacy policy you’ll see links to access and control your information on your account. Here’s the link to your account settings if you’ve missed it: https://www.google.com/dashboard/
Be sure to follow with Google’s Terms and Privacy and keep yourself informed. I’ll write again soon as to how this may affect your marketing and advertising with Google. For more information on DSI, visit their site for server racks.
https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/preview/
https://www.google.com/policies/terms/