Google on Privacy - People have something to hide

Google's CEO, Eric Schmidt, has just used the classic and deeply unintelligent argument to attack critics of how it stores people’s private personal online activity. Yes it's the usual - 'people who try to protect their privacy must have something to hide' idiocy.

Well yes he is right, we do all have something to hide, OUR PERSONAL PRIVATE LIVES.. . Now I don't mind a well researched argument or viewpoint but the above, to me, remains a classic example of ignorance.

In an interview with US network CNBC, the Google chief defended the search company's privacy record before declaring:

"If you have something that you don't want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn't be doing it in the first place ... if you really need that kind of privacy, the reality is search engines, including Google, do retain that information for some time. it is possible that information will be made available to the authorities".

Click to expand...

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/security/353986/google-boss-privacy-zealots-are-up-to-no-good

Maybe if somebody is searching for information on an embarrassing illness then they probably don't want anybody to know about it, least of all a corporate giant. Personally I'm not that bothered about Google logging my searches, I have greater concerns with public services having access to our email and web browsing history without a court order, but anybody who uses Schmidt’s argument just makes me fume .

If you have something that you don't want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn't be doing it in the first place . ...

Click to expand...

Or perhaps if you have something you don't want anybody to know you can censor search results your search engine provides in somewhere like, erm, China. But of course that would make Mr Schmidt look like an amoral weasel.

Google would otherwise have to tell everyone everything it hold online about them. I bet the fix iss in with Blair-like sock puppets to save them the bomb that will cost.

What we need is a good old fashioned Henry the Eighth type politician to get rid of all the Blair like ones with public hangings. Keep the rest of the sods in line. And a good day out for all but one or two of us.

This is a very interesting discussion, and it goes 2 ways.

Basically, google gets money from data - it can be extremely valuble.

Advertising can't manage to pay for all of it. Especially the advertising in such apps - at the moment theres isn't any.

First, theres the argument against, which everyone knows.

But...things like google maps, google earth are not made cheaply.

My opinion, I'm ok with them having my data. After all, it's nothing I haven't given out before, many times over. Which everyone has, if they have ever bought something over the net.

And presumably, everyone on here has a bank account? I don't rate them very highly for protection, I just have to assume I go by the rules and will get money back if security is compromised by someone other than me.

Our details are everywhere - most people have many utilities like water, electic, mobile phone bills, etc. Your details are shared out everywhere.

The big question is, should you trust google with them as much as anyone else?

I do, as much as anyone else that is. I figure it's worth it if I want to use such apps as they provide.

I don't give my details out willy nilly, but I don't think theres much point trying to hide them.