It’s a question many are asking – can we still trust Google? (In fairness, it’s a question you could ask of any social company).
I’ve written about my falling out of “like” with Google on here a few times recently, and they still continue to piss me off. For example, I completely deleted my Google+ account but folks on there are still allowed to send me updates via email because Google thinks that’s okay.
Or, I tried to access my Google Analytics from my simple Account tab in Gmail, and Google wouldn’t let me progress any further until I “upgraded” to Google+. Yeah, right – piss off, Google, and take your spammy account growth ways with you.
However, I recognize that I’m biased, so I thought this infographic from BackgroundCheck.org was fairly interesting. It gives a nice cross-reference of Google’s history, missteps, and how the general public views online search, privacy and tracking.
For example:
- I didn’t know that Google had been listed as “Hostile to Privacy” in 2007 by Privacy International, which is the lowest rating you can get.
- 65% of web users don’t want their search personalized based on prior search history.
- 73% of web users don’t want their results tracked.
It’s pretty telling stuff, and perhaps another reason why Google is getting so heavy-handed in its Google+ sign-up charge (they’re still quoting incorrect numbers due to the enforced Google+ sign-ups via using new Google products).
I don’t know – I never thought I’d see the day when I preferred Zuckerberg’s machine over anything else when it comes to privacy and operations. But Google’s making that easier every single day.
Ah well… onto the infographic (click to enlarge).
